Accountant General Blames Salary Issues in Tertiary Institutions on Hasty System Switch

The Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, has blamed the salary payment crisis in federal tertiary institutions on a rushed and poorly executed transition from IPPIS to GIFMIS, which ignored expert recommendations and led to widespread payroll and pension issues.

The Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, has attributed the persistent salary payment disruptions in federal tertiary institutions to a poorly coordinated transition from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja with vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, and regulatory heads, Ogunjimi explained that the migration did not follow established technical protocols. As a result, many institutions experienced delayed salary payments, incorrect third-party deductions, and unremitted pension contributions.

He emphasized that the decision to bypass trial payroll runs for November and December 2024, coupled with a rushed switch to GIFMIS in the final quarter of the year, significantly intensified the problems.

Since assuming office in March, Ogunjimi said his office has received a high volume of complaints from pension fund administrators, tax authorities, microcredit organizations, and university unions regarding payment failures and irregular deductions.

He revealed that an Interministerial Technical Committee had recommended a phased transition plan: October’s payroll should have been processed on IPPIS, while staff data would be verified and migrated to GIFMIS. Trial runs on GIFMIS for November and December were also advised before a full migration by December 31, 2024. These steps, however, were not followed.

In response to the fallout, Ogunjimi said his office has engaged university bursars and launched a joint training initiative in collaboration with the Association of Bursars of Nigerian Universities to assist institutions struggling with the new system.

“Despite these interventions, complaints from institutions continue to pour in,” he noted. “This meeting is an opportunity to collectively address these issues and tailor our training efforts accordingly.”

Also speaking at the event, Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Chira, commended Ogunjimi’s proactive approach and shared audit insights revealing systemic issues such as salary overpayments, unauthorized hires, and unremitted deductions. These lapses, he said, have led to audit queries, financial losses, and damaged reputations.

Chira encouraged institutions to maintain transparency and work collaboratively to resolve operational inefficiencies. He assured stakeholders that his office is committed to supporting improved financial governance in the education sector.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GUARDIAN