SSANU decries GIFMIS’ inconsistencies, unpaid N50b allowances

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has bemoaned perceived inconsistencies noticed in the implementation of the Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System (GIFMIS).

A communique issued at the end of its 50th Regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, expressed worries about the irregularities in the payment of salaries

The Union noted recorded cases of salary shortfalls and inconsistencies in payment of third-party deductions of various universities and Inter-University centres.

It added that migration to the GIFMIS platform has resulted in some universities shortchanging their staff by paying incomplete salaries and withholding third-party deductions which is in flagrant disobedience of financial regulations.

The communique, which was signed by SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, also faulted the non-release of N50 billion for the payment of Earned and other allowances, which was appropriated in the 2023 Supplementary Budget.

NEC-in-session equally frowned at the non-payment of the arrears of our twenty- five 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increments for Federal Universities, inter-Universities Centres and some State Universities.

It said: “NEC unanimously resolves that Government should ensure that Fifty Billion Naira earlier appropriated should be recaptured in the 2025 budget, and our other pending allowances should be released without further delay.”

The union also demanded payment of the two months withheld salaries of its members.
“NEC-in-session commends the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration for paying two months out of the four months withheld salaries of our members in Federal Universities and inter-university centres. NEC further noted that the two months’ arrears were paid without remitting third-party payments such as Cooperative deductions, dues for professional associations and others. NEC appeals to the Federal Government through the Minister of Education, Dr Morufu Olatunji Alausa, to as a matter of seriousness facilitate the payment of our remaining two months’ salaries and the third-party deductions, to guarantee industrial harmony in all Nigerian Universities and University Centres, it stated.

The meeting took exemptions to growing taxes on its members’ salaries, saying, “Some of these taxations are affecting our meagre salaries through the pay as you earn (PAYE) tax, the hike in Value Added Tax (VAT) and numerous unexplainable tariffs. This has drastically rendered the N70,000 minimum wage increase useless and of no effect. NEC, therefore, calls on the Government of the day to work towards a worker-friendly Tax Regime to ameliorate the hardship faced by our members.”

On the implementation of the national minimum wage, SSANU observed that some state governments are yet to implement the new figure as well as settle arrears of the last reviewed minimum wage.

SSANU also expressed worry about the darkness that envelops most university campuses which makes learning and scholarship difficult. While it commended the effort of the Federal Government on the improved electricity supply albeit via exploitative and exorbitant rates, NEC observed that most Universities and inter-University centres are constantly running on generators because their overhead costs are unable to pay their electricity bills.