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FG Implementing IPPIS With $140bn Loan, ASUU Alleges
The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said, yesterday, that the Federal Government was implementing the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) with a loan of about $140billion.
The National President of the union, Prof. Biodun Ogumyemi, who discussed this at a meeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives, said the union was opposed to the IPPIS because it will limit universities and reduce them to mere local universities which cannot attract foreign scholars.
He said that since 2013 when the platform was first introduced to members of the union, they made their position clear to government on why the policy cannot work and agreeing with the government to set up a joint committee to come out with a workable platform.
According to him, since the joint committee was set up, the union did not hear from the government until July, 2019, when the government came up with threats because they had made up their mind in what to do.
He said the union has challenged the government to tell them any country in the world where the IPPIS is used in the university system, saying “it is just about us. They have said that our opposition to IPPIS meant we are encouraging corruption. But we are the ones that always told them that they are reneging on their responsibility.”
However, the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), yesterday, frowned at the attempt by the National Assembly to single out lecturers for sexual harassment legislation.
The Zonal Coordinator, Akure Zone of the union, Comrade Olu-Olu Olufayo at a press conference in Akure, also insisted that the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) is a scam.
Olufayo was flanked by other university chairpersons, which include, Comrade Adeola Egbedokun of OAU, Comrade Akinyemi Omonijo of FUOYE, Comrade ‘Yinka Awopetu of FUTA, and Comrade Kayode Arogundade of EKSU.
The union said that “ASUU condemns, in totality, all forms of sexual harassment, no matter its origin.
“However, the Union strongly opposes any form of deliberate effort or attempt by the National Assembly to single out lecturers for sexual harassment legislation, as if such does not happen in other sections of the society.
“Such an attempt violates the rule of jurisprudence which says that laws should not be made against specific or targeted individuals or a group”.
On the controversial IPPIS, the union said, “ASUU will not its members to be railroaded into enrolling in this scam called IPPIS because of its apparent deficiencies.
“IPPIS also runs counter of the Universities Miscellaneous Provision Act (as amended).
“It is nothing but a fraud, which allows the enrollment of ghost workers”.
Olutafo, however, noted “with dismay the level of insecurity in the country was becoming alarming and unbearable.
“ASUU is of the opinion that militancy, banditry, herdsmen/farmers clashes, and insurgency are becoming rife and overwhelming on the security apparatus of the nation.
“It, therefore, calls for an urgent overhauling and re-jigging of the security architecture of the country”.
On the state of infrastructure, “ASUU calls for an immediate review of the promises made by the government to address the dilapidated and deplorable infrastructures and the bad state of education in Nigeria and demands that such should be respected.
“As things stand now, students are made to learn under inhumane conditions. This is in spite of all the efforts of ASUU to bring to the fore, all the inherent physical problems being experienced by the students.
“The situation has been made worse by apparent government meddlesomeness in the day to day administration of the universities.
“The attempt to erode universities’ autonomy makes them incapable of performing optimally in teaching, research, and rendering of services.
“This is evident in the forceful introduction on our universities the obnoxious Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS)”.
The union, however, lamented that “the government has rejected the cost-free and effective alternative platform, University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), being developed by ASUU.
Olufayo noted that “our union concluded that Nigeria is presently caught in the midst of suffocating socio-economic challenges which must urgently be addressed.
“ASUU is, therefore, calling for the populace to take power back to the real owners of the resources, that is, the working people of Nigeria.
“Having comprehensively reviewed the outstanding issues in the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and the 2017 Memorandum of Action (MoA), as well as the pussy-footing attitude of government on the obnoxious and fraudulent IPPIS programme, which have not been addressed”, we think that this is the best option.
Olufayo added that, “The Akure Zone of ASUU aligns itself with the decision of ASUU NEC to prosecute the two weeks warning strike to force the government to live up to its responsibilities”.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to act immediately to resolve the dispute with the university lecturers to avoid another long disruption in the academic activities in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
TUC’s concern came just as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has insisted that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) did not notify the Ministry of Labour before embarking on the two-week warning strike, last Tuesday.
Ngige, who spoke when the TUC leadership paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, yesterday, cautioned the lecturers that they may risk losing salary for the two weeks of the warning strike for embarking on an illegal exercise.
The TUC President, Quadiri Olaleye, who led members of the union’s national executive committee to a meeting with Ngige, said they came to express concern on various issues affecting workers and Nigerians.
He said that the union is worried about the current state of the economy, particularly with the recent plunge in the international oil price.
He advised that the federal government should do everything necessary to resolve the dispute with ASUU so as not to allow it to degenerate and further create more crisis in the country.
ASUU and the Federal Government team yesterday commence deliberation on their dispute.
Officers of the Nigerian Air Force have met with senior officials of the United States Government and representatives of Messrs Bell Textron to fast-track the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters.
The meeting took place during a Programme Management Review meeting led by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, from 5 to 6 January 2026 in San Diego, California, United States.
A statement by the NAF spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, yesterday, said the meeting focused on assessing the status of the helicopter acquisition and measures to ensure the timely delivery of the 12 AH-1Z platforms.
According to the statement, Aneke said the review was aimed at strengthening programme oversight, accountability and adherence to agreed timelines and budget.
“In a strategic move to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led a Programme Management Review meeting with senior United States Government officials and representatives of Messrs Bell Textron from 5 to 6 January 2026 in San Diego, California, USA.
“The engagement focused on fast-tracking the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, a critical capability enhancement aligned with the CAS’s Command Philosophy of building and sustaining a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces for the attainment of national security objectives, ” the statement partly read.
Aneke expressed appreciation to the United States Government and Messrs Bell Textron for their continued cooperation, professionalism, and transparency in the execution of the helicopter acquisition programme.
He noted that the structured review reflects the NAF’s deliberate emphasis on programme discipline, accountability, and results.
“We deeply value the professionalism and openness demonstrated throughout this process, and we remain fully committed to working closely with our partners to ensure the timely and successful delivery of these platforms,” the CAS stated.
The CAS further emphasised that the acquisition of the AH-1Z helicopters represents more than a platform upgrade, describing it as a reflection of the enduring defence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
According to him, the programme underscores a shared responsibility for regional and global security, built on mutual trust, shared values, and a common vision for peace and stability.
“This partnership speaks to our collective resolve to confront evolving security challenges through collaboration and sustained capability development,” he added.
Reaffirming the NAF’s sense of urgency and commitment, Air Marshal Aneke assured the US team that his administration would take all necessary measures to ensure the helicopters are delivered in the shortest possible time.
He also charged the programme management team to work smartly and proactively to complete production on schedule and within budget.
“Timelines and standards must be met concurrently. We must remain focused, innovative, and solutions-driven,” the CAS stressed.
The CAS expressed profound gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Air Force.
He noted that the acquisition of the AH-1Z helicopters would significantly enhance the NAF’s combat capability, operational efficiency, and mission readiness, thereby strengthening the Service’s ability to deliver decisive airpower in support of national security and stability.
He added that the advanced capabilities of the helicopters would enable the Nigerian Air Force to conduct highly precise operations, minimise collateral damage, and provide timely and effective support to ground forces, ultimately saving lives and protecting property across affected communities.
The CAS reassured Nigerians of the NAF’s unwavering commitment to eliminating terrorist and criminal threats with professionalism, restraint, and accountability, while sustaining public trust and confidence in the Service’s operations.
Recall that Nigeria’s purchase of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters was first approved by the United States government in April 2022, when the U.S. State Department, through the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, cleared a possible Foreign Military Sale of the helicopters and related equipment to the Government of Nigeria.
According to Military Africa, the formal production and delivery contract for the 12 AH-1Z helicopters, valued at $455 million, was awarded to Bell Textron on 12 March 2024 by the U.S. Department of Defence.
The Niger Delta advocacy group, the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), has called on the National Assembly to expedite consideration and approval of the 2025 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to enable the Commission accelerate its development programmes across the region.
In a statement issued yesterday by its Coordinator, Izon Ebi, the group said swift passage of the budget would empower the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to fully implement his renewed developmental strategy and extend projects to all target communities in the Niger Delta.
The group recalled that the NDDC, on December 30, 2025, presented a ?1.75 trillion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year to the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Explaining the proposal, Ogbuku had noted that the 2025 budget is about nine per cent lower than the ?1.985 trillion proposed and appropriated for the 2024 fiscal year.
He said the ?1.75 trillion estimate comprises ?776.5 billion as Federal Government contribution, ?752.8 billion from oil companies, ?109.4 billion as revenue brought forward from 2024, ?53.67 billion as recoveries from Federal Government agencies, and ?8.35 billion as internally generated revenue.
The group praised Ogbuku’s leadership, describing him as having transformed the NDDC into “a beacon of renewed hope” for the Niger Delta region.
The group said it was impressed by what it called Ogbuku’s charismatic leadership, grassroots engagement and developmental drive, which it noted align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the group, Ogbuku’s consultations with traditional rulers and stakeholders across the Niger Delta have helped identify priority needs of communities, strengthened collaboration in the fight against crude oil theft and contributed to a noticeable decline in criminal activities in the oil and gas sector.
The statement also highlighted the Commission’s partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) on health insurance and medical outreach programmes, improved monitoring and supervision of projects, and the deployment of solar-powered streetlights across communities, which it said has enhanced security and economic activities at night.
The group urged lawmakers to act swiftly on the budget, stressing that timely approval would further boost development, peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
It also announced that it had conferred on Ogbuku the award of “Extraordinary Leader of 2025 in the Niger Delta Region.”
Port Harcourt based media practitioners under the aegis of Port Harcourt Press, have urged the Rivers State Police Command to arrest and prosecute all suspects involved in the recent attack and harassment of Arise TV crew in Port Harcourt.
The media practitioners, at a World press conference in Port Harcourt, described as dangerous the continuous harassment of journalists by various political actors in the ongoing political crisis in the State.
The text of the briefing which was read by a former State Commissioner for information and Communications and federal lawmaker in the State, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, described as condemnable the attack on the Arise TV crew by suspected political thugs in Port Harcourt, while conducting an interview with Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, a former commissioner in the State.
According to him, “That harrowing event of Friday, January 2, where the Arise TV crew were brutally attacked by armed men in a hotel in Port Harcourt while conducting interview with Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, former Honourable Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, smacks of nothing but act of intimidation, threat to both the Nigerian media and human lives especially in the forceful carting away of broadcast equipment.”
The group further noted that the attack was not only an insult on the press freedom but on the larger society.
The group regretted the inability of the Police to arrest and bring to book the perpetrators of the act till date, warning that it may be forced to boycott police activities if those involved are not arrested and brought to book.
“From all indications, the police appear to be playing to the gallery. While the broadcast equipment were reportedly recovered, no definite arrest have been made. This body, therefore, demands an urgent and thorough investigation of this matter and those find culpable brought to justice within two weeks.
“Failure to address this issue with the urgency it requires and not carrying out satisfactory actions as required in their prosecution will attract sanctions such as withdrawal of coverage of all police activities in Rivers State by media organisations and journalists as we stand in solidarity with the NUJ,” the group warned.
John Bibor
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