Why Nigerian University Lecturers May Go On Strike Again

Barely few months after they called off a six month industrial action, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the Federal Government may clash again that could result into university lecturers embarking on another strike.* ASUU President, Nasir FaggieThere is palpable tension in Nigerian universities, with ASUU boycotting the ongoing Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, seminar in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.The university lecturers are threatening to down tools again if the government insists on getting them to join the new payment platform.Recntly, the Federal Government directedall its Ministries, Departments and Parastatals, MDS, to join the computerised payment platform to reduce corruption and human error in the payment of salaries.As part of measures to bring universities into the programme, the government distributed IPPIS forms to lecturers all over the country through the National Universities Commission, NUC.However, ASUU members in Port Harcourt, Rivers State did not turn up for the seminar which kicked off on Monday in Port HarcourtAlso, a similar programme that was held in other geo-political zones of the country is also said to have been boycotted by members of the union.A source from the University of Uyo told newsmen that ASUU had barred its members from attending the Port Harcourt seminar."The vice chancellor had intimated us about the seminar but based on the directive from our union, we cannot honour the invitation for the programme."ASUU is not against the computerised salary system but we are saying that the policy does not favour the peculiar nuances of the academia."For instance, the IPPIS does not recognise the peculiarity of the academicenvironment and cannot meet our payment needs. Our members go on sabbatical, act as adjuncts and we engage in regular recruitment of staff which are not addressed on the IPPIS platform."Having experienced the failure in the payment of monetisation, the source hinted that the union would not allow its members to be part of the new payment system.It would be recalled that the University ofIbadan chapter of the union had early in January barred its members from filling the IPPIS form.Attempts to speak with the National President of ASUU, Nasir Faggie, on the issue failed as he would not take calls or respond to a text message sent to his telephone.