Nation

FEC directs SGF to implement varsity lecturers removal from IPPIS

Our Reporter

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has mandated Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume to immediately implement the decision to remove university lecturers from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform.

According to President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, who provided updates on decisions of FEC on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956 on Thursday, the directive on the separation of the universities from the IPPIS platform was expected to address the long-standing issue between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the government.

The Council also ratified the establishment of the National University of Science and Technology in Abuja – a Pan African Institute dedicated to teaching African scientists and technologists.

The varsity, described as the first of its kind, in is expected to boost scientific and technological advancement in Africa.

Onanuga said: “The council asked the Secretary of the Government of the Federation to expedite the implementation of the Council decision made months ago, separating the universities from the IPPIS platform.

“The Council ratified the anticipatory approval given on 28 May 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to establish the university in the Federal Capital.

“The university is the first of the network of Pan African Institutes of Science and Technology dedicated to teaching African scientists and technologists.”

The Council approved various contracts aimed at boosting agriculture and infrastructure development. They include the procurement of tractors and agricultural equipment for national food security, engineering audit of upstream measurement equipment in the oil and gas sector, and supply of SUVs and operational vehicles to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.

The contracts for pre-field development studies for advanced declaration solution technology and procurement of substation connectors for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

He said: “Although, many contract memos were stepped down, the FEC approved some others. Among them were:

  • Facility Maintenance Service submitted by EFCC, in favour of Julius Berger at a cost of N392 million. The contract was less than the N533 million approved in 2018 for the yearly maintenance of the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja.
  • Procurement of 2000 tractors, 4000 disc ploughs, 1000 disc ridges, 1200 tractor trailers and assorted spare parts. The items to be supplied are for the National Agricultural Mechanization Programme (NAMP) to strengthen national food security. Aftrade DMCC, which has done a similar job in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa and Togo, will supply all the equipment and will also set up a plant to assemble the machinery, in the second stage of the contract.
  • Contract for the engineering audit of upstream measurement equipment and facilities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector in favour of Messrs. PE Energy Limited. Completion will be 180 days.
  • Contract for the procurement of pre-field development studies for advanced declaration solution Technology in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector, in favour of Messrs. P-Lyne Energy Limited. Completion will also be in 180 days.
  • Two Contracts for the supply of SUVs and other operational vehicles to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. The contracts are in favour of Elizade Nigeria Limited, Lanre Shittu Motors and Vinicius Global Link Ltd.
  • Contract for the procurement of low and high-voltage substation connectors in favour of Messrs. Maglous Enterprises Limited. The connectors are for the TCN.