FG Releases Guidelines for Tertiary Institutions’ Exit from IPPIS

The Federal Government has issued official guidelines outlining the transition process for Federal Tertiary Institutions (FTIs) exiting the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). This move, aimed at enhancing autonomy and streamlining payroll management, was initially approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) earlier this year.

In a circular released on Tuesday, October 8, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, provided detailed instructions for FTIs on how to navigate this shift. The transition marks a significant change, with payroll processing moving from the IPPIS platform to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) starting November 2024.

For the month of October 2024, FTIs’ payrolls will still be handled via IPPIS. From November onward, the institutions will assume responsibility for payroll processing, subject to verification by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation’s IPPIS department. Payments will be made through the GIFMIS platform, a system designed to enhance public financial management and ensure transparency.

The circular sets an October 21, 2024, deadline for all FTIs to submit GIFMIS Enrolment Forms for personnel handling payroll. These forms are necessary to grant access to the Personnel Cost Budget Line on the GIFMIS platform. Institutions are also required to validate and upload employee bank account details by the same deadline.

The AGF emphasized the importance of strict adherence to these deadlines and urged institutions to submit any outstanding promotion and salary arrears to the Budget Office for further processing. Dr. Madein highlighted that successful implementation of this transition depends on full cooperation from all relevant management and accounting officers within the institutions.

This development has been welcomed by academic unions, particularly the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has long criticized the IPPIS platform for issues like salary delays and inaccurate deductions. The move is seen as a step toward restoring greater autonomy to tertiary institutions in managing their personnel and payroll functions.

However, with the transition deadline approaching, institutions face the challenge of ensuring a seamless shift. Any delays in compliance could lead to payroll disruptions and strained relations with the federal government.

The IPPIS system was initially introduced to prevent fraud, eliminate ghost workers, and ensure transparency in payroll processes. However, tertiary institutions have voiced concerns about its lack of flexibility. The switch to GIFMIS, a more versatile financial management platform, is expected to address these concerns while maintaining accountability.