FG, ASUU reach interim agreement on IPPS

Both the Federal Government and striking members of the Academic Senior Staff Union of Universities have reached an interim agreement on the integration of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPS).

The IPPIS, a government’s accountability software, has been made compulsory for all public institutions, mainly for personnel payroll. But ASUU has been opposed to its use in universities.

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, announced the agreement after a four-hour meeting between both parties.

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Ngige said the two parties will reconvene on Monday after the ASUU delegation deliberates with its National Executive Council (NEC).

“Both sides realised we are working for our country. ASUU already has the University Transparency and Account System. We had a preliminary agreement to accommodate the two systems. ASUU will have to get back to its members and agree on how to couple the two systems. We will continue the discussion after ASUU consults with its members and decision making authority, we will meet on Monday or Tuesday,” Ngige said.

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The minister said the meeting was called because of the two-week warning strike declared by ASUU.

Also speaking, the National President of ASUU, Biodun Ogunyemi, said the National Executive Committee of the union will review the conditions for the integration of UTAS into IPPIS.

“From the discussion we had, we have agreed that we will go and consult. We cannot pronounce on the proposals that came up until we consult with our members. We will leave it there for now.”
However, both parties did not reveal the conditions to the media. He said the issues discussed came from outstanding issues which had tended to be overshadowed by IPPIS.

When asked if the strike would be suspended, the ASUU president said he could not make any pronouncement until he consulted with other members.