ASUU Lauds Buhari For Ordering Payment Of Withheld Salaries

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the payment of February and March salaries of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), not captured on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System(IPPIS).

The salaries were withheld by the government after ASUU insisted it would not enroll in the IPPIS.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Emmanuel Nzomiwu, media aide of the Minister of Labour and Employment,Chris Ngige.

“The President also directed the Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, and the Accountant General of the Federation to effect the payment urgently by all means to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period on lecturers and members of their family,” the statement read.

Recall that the federal government and ASUU had been at loggerheads regarding IPPIS, among other things, a situation that led the union to embark on an indefinite strike action.

ASUU reacted to the directive on Tuesday, and tweeted that as soon as it was done, a meaningful dialogue with the government would begin.

ASUU lauded the federal government for the gesture but added that the strike was still on pending another round of meeting by the National Executive Committee.

“It was gathered that the moment the salaries are paid, the National Executive Committee of the union would meet to deliberate on the next line of action,” ASUU tweeted.

The directive by President Buhari that the Feb and Mar 2020 salaries of members of ASUU, withheld because of their refusal to enrol in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, be paid as soon as possible will lead to meaningful dialogue with the government.

— Official_ASUU (@ASUUNGR) April 21, 2020