The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected directives that it’s members should submit their BVN for revalidation to enable Government pay their February and March salaries.
ASUU members were not paid February and March salaries because they refused to enrol for the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The union went on an indefinite strike on March 23, 2020 to protest the IPPIS and non-implementation of the ASUU/FGN Agreement.
However, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige said on Tuesday that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that ASUU members be paid on compassionate ground to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on their families.
In response, chairman of ASUU at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Dele Ashiru, warned members not to submit their BVN, saying it was a bait by the government to get them to enrol for IPPIS.
In a circular to members, Ashiru said: “Dear Comrades and Compatriots
The media is awash with the report of the Presidential directive to pay our February and March salaries.
While we welcome this development, it should be received with cautious optimism.
The information from some branches indicate that the payment is conditioned upon the filing of IPPIS form and submission of BVN Numbers.
The National Leadership has directed that no member of our union should submit their BVN nor fill the IPPIS form. Our union’s principled opposition to the obnoxious and retrogressive IPPIS enrollment for which we have been vindicated still stands.
“While thanking our members for being resolute and steadfast in the struggle for a better public university system in Nigeria, please be rest assured that sooner than later all our outstanding salaries would be paid without any encumbrance. A people united can never be defeated.”
A professor at the University (names withheld) also faulted the clause that the lecturers had to revalidate their BVN when they had been paid in the past without needing to do so.
“Why will Vice-Chancellors revalidate the BVN of the lecturers? What does that mean? Something is not right somewhere,” the lecturer said.

By Kofoworola Bello-Osagie