On Thursday, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union urged the release of overdue salaries for 70 lecturers reportedly withheld due to issues with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System. In a statement signed by its National President, Smart Olugbeko, the education union commended the Federal Executive Council for exempting tertiary institutions from the IPPIS platform, considering it the administration's best decision to date.

The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has recently declared the exemption of tertiary institutions from the IPPIS platform. Academic unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, have expressed their approval of this decision.

However, COEASU stated, "Our Union has consistently opposed IPPIS as a fraudulent and ineffective platform. It is regrettable that such a system, with its evident shortcomings, was permitted to adversely impact the education system for an extended period. The healing process for our institutions from the injuries inflicted by IPPIS will be prolonged."

"As of today, over seventy lecturers who undertook sabbatical leave between 2020 and 2022 have not received salaries throughout the entire duration of their leave, with some being paid for only a few months. Additionally, numerous lecturers remain unpaid, and IPPIS has failed to provide explanations for the omissions. Despite concerted efforts to prompt IPPIS to make payments, no tangible results have been achieved.

Expanding on this issue, the union emphasized that, based on their prolonged resistance against the problematic pay platform, they are certain that individuals in crucial ministries, whose narrow interests have been affected by the President's decision, may attempt sabotage. This could involve implementing measures to hinder institutions from accessing their funds, resulting in financial shortfalls and delays in salary payments, all in an attempt to selfishly justify IPPIS. The union also called for IPPIS to be given a deadline to settle all outstanding obligations to institutions, emphasizing that transferring these liabilities to Governing Councils would be detrimental to industrial peace.

In conclusion, the union urged President Bola Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Education to exercise caution and take appropriate measures. They emphasized the need for tertiary institutions to have uninterrupted and timely access to their funds, ensuring that pay wallets are adequately funded to cover monthly salaries, Peculiar Earned Academic Allowances, sabbatical leave, and the recruitment of new staff to fill existing vacancies. The union assured that they would remain vigilant and fulfill their role as watchdogs to prevent any abuse of this opportunity by Provosts or Governing Councils."