The Academic Staff Universities (ASUU) has responded to the directive from the federal government to remove universities and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment platform.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the President of ASUU, expressed his opinion that this development could help bring universities back on track if the approved decision by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was accurate.

In Wednesday’s FEC meeting, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced the exemption of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions from the IPPIS payment platform.

Speaking to Daily Trust, Osodeke commended the administration for reversing the policy, stating that if the information was correct, it was a positive step in the right direction. He highlighted that this was one of the main reasons for the strike and salary withholding, which had not been addressed.

Osodeke expressed concern about the loss of prestige suffered by universities due to their inclusion in the IPPIS payment platform. He called on President Bola Tinubu to address the issue of punitive actions taken against ASUU members and emphasized the importance of doing things correctly.

While acknowledging the positive development, Osodeke urged the government to address other issues as well, ensuring a flawless system that would prevent strikes and promote a conducive educational environment.