The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has mandated Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, to immediately implement the decision to remove university lecturers from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform.
This directive aims to resolve the long-standing dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the government, as announced by President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, via his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956.
Additionally, the Council ratified the establishment of the National University of Science and Technology in Abuja, a Pan African Institute dedicated to teaching African scientists and technologists. This university, the first of its kind, is expected to boost scientific and technological advancement across Africa. Onanuga stated, “The council asked the Secretary of the Government of the Federation to expedite the implementation of the Council decision made months ago, separating the universities from the IPPIS platform.
The Council ratified the anticipatory approval given on 28 May 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to establish the university in the Federal Capital. The university is the first of the network of Pan African Institutes of Science and Technology dedicated to teaching African scientists and technologists.”
The FEC also approved various contracts to enhance agriculture and infrastructure development, including:
– Facility maintenance service for the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, awarded to Julius Berger for N392 million, a reduction from the N533 million approved in 2018.
– Procurement of 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc ploughs, 1,000 disc ridges, 1,200 tractor trailers, and assorted spare parts for the National Agricultural Mechanization Programme (NAMP) to strengthen national food security. Aftrade DMCC, experienced in similar projects in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, and Togo, will supply the equipment and set up an assembly plant in the contract’s second stage.
– Engineering audit of upstream measurement equipment and facilities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector, awarded to Messrs. PE Energy Limited, with a completion timeline of 180 days.
– Procurement of pre-field development studies for advanced declaration solution technology in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector, awarded to Messrs. P-Lyne Energy Limited, also with a completion timeline of 180 days.
– Two contracts for the supply of SUVs and other operational vehicles to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, awarded to Elizade Nigeria Limited, Lanre Shittu Motors, and Vinicius Global Link Ltd.
– Procurement of low and high-voltage substation connectors for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), awarded to Messrs. Maglous Enterprises Limited.