The Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, has urged the Federal Government to raise the salaries of academics in the country, proposing that a professor should earn no less than N1 million monthly. 

The FUOYE VC made this call while receiving a commendation award from the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council, in Oye Ekiti on Sunday.

Expressing his support for the Federal Government’s decision to exempt public universities from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, Fasina emphasized the positive impact it would have on the autonomy and efficient management of tertiary institutions.

Highlighting the advantages of the exit from IPPIS, Fasina stated, “The advantage is that we are now independent to decide on proper management of the system. We can always also take from our Internally Generated Revenue to supplement what we are given by the government.“

Addressing the issue of academic salaries, the VC asserted that current remuneration for lecturers in Nigerian universities is inadequate. He stressed the need for an increase, stating, “For example, a professor should not earn less than a million naira.”

Fasina explained that the autonomy gained by leaving IPPIS allows universities to efficiently handle various administrative matters, such as recruitment, without the need for constant approval from Abuja. He also highlighted the bureaucratic challenges associated with IPPIS, leading to delays in salary payments for some staff members.

Commending the decision to exempt universities from IPPIS, Fasina remarked, “President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated his genuine intention and commitment to turning around the fortunes of the education sector. The exemption would birth a new university system.”