A wave of discontent has swept through Nigeria’s federal workforce as numerous civil servants report receiving significantly reduced salaries for January 2025. The unexpected pay cuts, described by some as “half salaries,” have been attributed to errors within the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
An assistant director in the federal civil service, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared his frustration: “In December, I received ₦510,000, but this January, only ₦360,000 was credited to my account. Many of my colleagues are facing similar issues. It’s alarming, especially when the new minimum wage adjustments are absent from our pay slips.”
The IPPIS, introduced by the Nigerian government to streamline payroll processes and curb fraud, has faced criticism since its inception. Reports have highlighted inconsistencies, with some workers receiving double payments while others are underpaid or not paid at all. A senior lecturer at the University of Nigeria Nsukka described the system as “a very big fraud,” noting that salary amounts vary monthly without clear justification. citeturn0search0
In response to the recent salary discrepancies, Benjamin Anthony, Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), acknowledged the issue: “There was a mix-up from the IPPIS. We’ve written to the Head of Service of the Federation, and they’ve assured us that corrective measures are underway.”
Anthony further explained that the omission of the peculiar allowance of ₦40,000 from the payment slips is a significant concern: “The peculiar allowance we negotiated was agreed upon by the federal government. It seems the system erroneously removed it from the payroll, but it will be rectified, and affected workers will receive their due payments.”
The IPPIS has been a contentious topic among academic institutions. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has previously criticized the platform, citing instances where professors received as little as ₦8,000 due to system errors. ASUU President, Abiodun Ogunyemi, remarked, “Many lecturers have lost between 50 to 70 percent of their salaries in the last eight months.” citeturn0search1
Moreover, in December 2023, over 2,000 civil servants had their salaries withheld due to IPPIS-related irregularities. A senior official noted, “About 2,000 civil servants are actually involved, and it’s due to failed verification on the IPPIS.” citeturn0search2
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions (NASU) has also voiced concerns over the IPPIS-induced crises. In December 2024, NASU urged the federal government to address the inconsistencies caused by the platform, emphasizing issues like irregular salary payments and unpaid allowances. citeturn0search3
As the federal government works to resolve these payroll anomalies, affected workers are urged to channel their complaints through their respective industrial unions. Anthony emphasized the importance of collective action: “We have written to all industrial unions to collect names of those affected and forward them to us. We appeal to public service workers to remain calm and submit their complaints promptly.”
The IPPIS, established to enhance transparency and eliminate ghost workers, now faces scrutiny for its operational challenges. As civil servants await rectification of their salaries, the incident underscores the need for robust and reliable payroll systems to ensure the welfare of Nigeria’s workforce.
