The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen says the House’s commitment to removing tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). This move aims to improve the well-being of lecturers and curb the brain drain phenomenon.
Dr. Tajudeen, speaking at the 3rd International conference of the Gender Policy Unit at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, emphasized the House’s dedication to addressing academic concerns, particularly the contentious issue of IPPIS. He criticized IPPIS as a narrow computer program that lacks understanding of educational complexities, deeming it detrimental to intellectual pursuits.
“We are determined to ensure that universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education are excluded from IPPIS.
Our goal is to allocate a substantial portion of the national budget to education, meeting the United Nations’ requirement of 26 percent,” he stated.
Expressing regret, the Speaker highlighted the adverse impact of IPPIS on education, citing instances where the survival of teachers, especially university professors, is jeopardized.
He revealed that, following deductions, some professors receive a take-home pay of less than N450,000, deeming such a salary embarrassing for the education sector.
Addressing broader societal issues, the Speaker emphasized the imperative of combating poverty, gender inequality, and insecurity for the nation’s progress and prosperity.
Dr. Abbas received the Award of Excellence for his contributions to the fight against poverty, gender inequality, and insecurity at the conference.
Prof. Kabiru Bala, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, praised the conference as a step toward realizing the university’s ambition of becoming a world-class academic and research institution.
The event, themed ‘Gender and Security in Africa: the Implications for Sustainable Development Goals,’ facilitated critical discussions on the impact of insecurity on SDG goals.
The three-day conference, collaboratively hosted by the Gender Policy Unit of ABU and the Center for Gender Studies of Bayero University, Kano, served as a platform for the convergence of professionals from academia, security, and various stakeholders.
During this event, individuals with expertise in diverse fields gathered to discuss and explore pertinent issues related to gender.
This inclusive gathering aimed to foster meaningful conversations and exchanges of ideas among participants, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of gender-related matters within academic, security, and broader societal contexts.
