Tag: IPPIS

The Federal Government has assured workers that their October 2025 salaries will be paid on schedule despite the ongoing software upgrade within the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

This assurance was contained in a statement by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) and signed by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press, OAGF. 

The OAGF dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that the upgrade of the IPPIS software would cause delays in salary payments.

According to the OAGF, the IPPIS previously operated three payroll platforms. In 2024, one of the platforms was successfully migrated to a new software known as “SoftSuite”, leaving two active platforms — EBS and SoftSuite.

The statement explained that the EBS platform has recently shown signs of “suboptimal performance”, prompting the Federal Government to consolidate all payroll operations under the SoftSuite application.

“This is not a new development, but a continuation of an earlier initiative to enhance efficiency and accuracy,” the statement noted.

Read Also: ASUU protest unresolved challenges on IPPIS, delay of Uniosun lecturers’ arrears

The OAGF further clarified that the integration of all payroll processes into a single platform is being carefully managed to ensure a seamless transition. While minor technical issues may arise during the process, the statement said, they are being promptly resolved to avoid any adverse impact on salary payments.

“All observed errors and omissions are being addressed promptly. The management does not anticipate any significant disruptions,” the OAGF stated.

The office assured all federal workers and stakeholders that their October salaries remain intact and will be paid as scheduled.

It also urged Treasury and IPPIS staff to disregard the misleading reports circulating online, stressing that such information did not originate from the OAGF.

The OAGF reiterated its commitment to improving the efficiency and accuracy of the IPPIS platform as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s public financial management system.

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has confirmed the shutdown of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for Federal Tertiary Institutions (FTIs). 

This development follows the Federal Government’s approval for the removal of FTIs from the IPPIS platform.

Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, disclosed this in an interview with The Nation.

 “It was only natural for the IPPIS platform for FTIs to be shut down, given the federal government’s directive to remove these institutions from the system,” Mokwa explained.

He further revealed that November salaries for FTIs will be processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS). 

Read Also: Guidelines out for tertiary institutions’ IPPIS exit

Institutions are required to prepare their payroll in an Excel format and submit it to IPPIS for verification and validation.

Amid concerns about changes to salary account details, the OAGF issued a statement clarifying that no directive has been given to workers to change the financial institutions linked to their IPPIS accounts. 

The statement noted the priority placed on workers’ welfare, assuring that no misleading or panic-inducing instructions would be issued.

The OAGF explained that any change in salary accounts is a personal decision by the individual worker and that the IPPIS office has not mandated any such changes.

The Treasury, as the OAGF is known, also urged financial institutions to strengthen their operations and ensure the efficient management of accounts holding workers’ salaries. The office expressed confidence in the regulatory agencies responsible for overseeing the health and viability of financial institutions, insisting on a their capability to fulfill their mandates.

Workers with legitimate reasons to change their salary accounts were advised to follow the official procedures provided by the OAGF to ensure smooth transitions without disruptions to their payroll.

The Federal Government has officially released guidelines on the process for the formal exit of its tertiary institutions (FTIs) from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform.

The development, aimed at improving autonomy and efficiency in payroll management, was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) earlier this year.

In a circular issued yesterday in Abuja, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, outlined the framework for the transition, emphasising the need for immediate compliance with the newly issued guidelines.

The deadline for the submission of the forms is set for October 21, and institutions are to send these documents to the OAGF either at the headquarters in Abuja or at the Federal Pay Offices across the country.

Read Also: FG assures civil servants of IPPIS data security

To ensure that payrolls are processed accurately and promptly, institutions are mandated to validate and upload the bank account details of all employees onto the GIFMIS platform by October 21.

To address outstanding financial obligations, the circular instructed FTIs to compile all pending promotion and salary arrears, which are to be forwarded to the Budget Office of the Federation for further processing and resolution.

In the circular, Dr. Madein stressed the importance of strict adherence to the new operational guidelines.

The AGF noted that the success of the transition depends on the full cooperation of the management and accounting officers of all FTIs who are required to ensure that the instructions in the circular are communicated and understood by all relevant parties within their institutions.

The federal government has officially released guidelines detailing the process for the formal exit of Federal Tertiary Institutions (FTIs) from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform.

The development, aimed at improving autonomy and efficiency in payroll management, was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) earlier this year.

In a circular issued on Tuesday, October 8, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, outlined the framework for the transition. The circular highlighted an exit strategy for FTIs from the IPPIS platform, emphasizing the need for immediate compliance with the newly issued guidelines.

According to Dr. Madein, the payroll for FTIs in the month of October 2024 will still be processed on the IPPIS platform. However, starting from November 2024, the payrolls will be processed by the institutions themselves.

The will then be checked by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation’s (OAGF) IPPIS department, and payment will be made through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform.

The circular sets a series of key deadlines that FTIs must meet for a seamless transition: All institutions are required to complete and submit the GIFMIS Enrolment Forms for personnel handling payroll-related roles. The forms will grant access to the Personnel Cost Budget Line for each institution on the GIFMIS platform.

The deadline for submission of these forms is set for October 21, 2024. Institutions must send these documents to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) either at the headquarters in Abuja or at Federal Pay Offices across the country.

To ensure that payrolls are processed accurately and promptly, institutions are also mandated to validate and upload the bank account details of all employees onto the GIFMIS platform by October 21, 2024.

To address outstanding financial obligations, the circular instructed FTIs to compile all pending promotion and salary arrears. These should be forwarded to the Budget Office of the Federation for further processing and resolution.

In the circular, Dr. Madein stressed the importance of strict adherence to the new operational guidelines. The success of this transition depends on the full cooperation of the management and accounting officers of all FTIs, who are required to ensure that the instructions in the circular are communicated and understood by all relevant parties within their institutions.

“The payrolls for the month of October 2024 for the Tertiary Institutions shall be processed on the IPPIS platform while that of November and December 2024 shall be processed by the institutions, checked by OAGF IPPIS, and payment made through the GIFMIS platform,” the AGF explained.

“All the institutions should complete and submit the GIFMIS Enrolment Forms (Personnel) for all role players to enable them to access the Personnel Cost Budget Line of the institutions on the GIFMIS Platform. The submission should be made on or before 21st October 2024 to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation at the Headquarters or Federal Pay Offices nationwide.”

Dr. Madein further reiterated that all tertiary institutions must ensure that the bank account details of their employees are validated and uploaded on the GIFMIS platform within the specified timeframe. This is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted salary payments in the months following the exit from IPPIS.

The transition away from IPPIS represents a significant shift for FTIs. The move has been welcomed by various academic unions, particularly the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which had long expressed concerns over discrepancies in the IPPIS system, including delays in salary payments and incorrect deductions. This new arrangement is seen as a step toward restoring institutional autonomy in managing personnel and payroll functions.

However, with the deadline fast approaching, the onus now lies on the institutions to ensure that the transition is smooth and that all requirements are met within the stipulated time.

Read Also: FG assures civil servants of IPPIS data security

Failure to comply with the guidelines could result in delays in payroll processing and disruptions in salary payments, which could further strain the already delicate relationship between tertiary institutions and the federal government.

Dr. Madein called on all tertiary institutions to comply with the guidelines and other extant regulations governing financial management. “All Tertiary Institutions are enjoined to comply with these operational guidelines and other extant rules and regulations. The Accounting Officers are to ensure that the content of this circular is brought to the attention of all concerned for strict compliance,” she said.

With the federal government’s commitment to enhancing transparency and efficiency in its financial management systems, this transition marks a crucial step in decentralizing payroll processes for Federal Tertiary Institutions while ensuring accountability through the GIFMIS platform.

The Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) was introduced to streamline payroll processes, prevent ghost workers, and improve government accountability in personnel costs.

However, several stakeholders in the education sector, including unions, have criticized the system for its rigidity and lack of flexibility in accommodating the unique requirements of academic institutions.

GIFMIS, on the other hand, is a robust platform designed to improve financial management and reporting in public institutions. It integrates all government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) into a single financial system, enabling real-time monitoring of public expenditure.

The federal government has reassured civil servants that the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) database remains secure and has not been compromised.

This assurance came from a statement issued by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), through Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations.

In the statement, the OAGF stressed that the government is committed to maintaining and operating a safe and efficient personnel and payroll management system.

Mokwa stated that “the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) database has not been compromised,” and reaffirmed that employees’ personnel data is secure.

This statement comes amid concerns over possible vulnerabilities in government payroll systems.

The OAGF, which is responsible for overseeing the management of the IPPIS and other federal financial initiatives, revealed that it has implemented an ICT Security Policy aimed at safeguarding its digital assets. According to the OAGF, this policy aligns with global best practices in cybersecurity, ensuring the continuous protection of sensitive data within government systems.

“No data is saved on the OAGF website,” the statement clarified, addressing rumours that sensitive information may have been stored or compromised through the website. The IPPIS uses the website only to share information, not for transactions. Neither payroll nor payments are made through the website, therefore, no data is contained in the website,” Mokwa stated.

This distinction was necessary to dispel any misconceptions that the website itself may have posed a security risk.

The statement further clarified that the IPPIS Validation Portal, recently developed to update employee information, had been deployed for a specific period. Once the data validation exercise was completed, the portal was shut down permanently to prevent any further access.

“The IPPIS Validation Portal was deployed on a secure platform,” the statement read, adding that a secure database and application system were procured from HELIX-FONS, a reputable international software provider. This measure was taken to ensure the highest level of security for the data submitted by employees during the validation exercise.

Acknowledging the importance of the IPPIS to the Nigerian workforce, the OAGF expressed its commitment to easing any fears civil servants may have about the safety of their personal data.

The office reassured employees that all necessary mechanisms have been put in place to resolve any issues that may arise in the system’s operations.

For civil servants who may experience irregularities in their salaries or payroll records, the OAGF advised them to follow official channels and procedures to have such issues resolved efficiently.

Read Also: FG orders IPPIS payroll update to curb salary fraud

The IPPIS has been a central pillar of the Federal Government’s efforts to reform its payroll system. It was introduced as a measure to eliminate ghost workers and improve transparency in the management of public sector salaries. However, concerns over the security of sensitive personal and payroll data have occasionally surfaced, prompting this latest reassurance from the OAGF.

The OAGF’s statement serves to quell growing concerns that the payroll system could be at risk of data breaches or misuse.

The emphasis on the IPPIS’s security infrastructure and the robust ICT security policies in place demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting employee data and maintaining the integrity of its financial management systems.

This renewed assurance comes as part of the government’s broader commitment to modernizing its financial management infrastructure, implementing global best practices, and ensuring the seamless operation of its payroll systems.

• Reps promise sustained welfare, living wage

The names of 1,618 workers found to possess illegal and counterfeit employment letters has been deleted from the Integration Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) in the last one year, it has been learnt.

Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, stated this during a media parley as part of activities to mark the 2024 Civil Service Week.

According to her, thorough physical verifications by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have reduced the previously inflated civil service workforce from over 100,000 to a verified count of 69,308 currently on the payroll.

Addressing the issue of corruption within the public service, Yemi-Esan emphasised collaborative efforts with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to eradicate malpractice. She underscored the implementation of welfare initiatives, such as low-interest housing schemes, aimed at reducing incentives for corrupt activities among civil servants.

She said: “We work closely with ICPC and EFCC to curb corruption. We try to divert attention of civil servants from corrupt practices by providing welfare packages like housing schemes with a single digit interest rate loans. These welfare packages have helped to reduce temptation for civil servants to engage in corruption.”

The Head of Service also noted the successful deployment of a whistleblower scheme, encouraging individuals to report corruption anonymously through online platforms or directly to the OHCSF. She added that the ongoing digital transformation will ensure all MDAs migrate fully to digital processes by the end of 2025.

Read Also: HoS uncovers 1,618 civil servants with fake employment letters, removes from IPPIS

The House of Representatives promised that the House remains committed to enhancing the welfare of workers and promoting policies that support their professional development and career advancement.

In its message to mark the 2024 Civil Service Week, Spokesman of the House, Akintunde Rotimi, said the House is committed to ensuring a new living wage that reflects current economic realities. He said the House will also continue to support initiatives that foster a culture of meritocracy, continuous learning, and innovation in the civil service.

The message reads: “This celebration also acknowledges the critical role that civil servants play as the engine room and institutional memory of government, ensuring the continuity and efficiency of public administration and providing the backbone for policy implementation and national development.

“The theme of this year’s Civil Service Week, ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa’, underscores the critical role of education in shaping the future of our continent.

“In line with this, the House remains committed to enhancing the welfare of workers, promoting policies that support their professional development and career advancement, and ensuring a new living wage that reflects current economic realities…”