The Federal Government has begun disbursing the delayed November 2024 salaries to civil servants, following disruptions linked to the ongoing migration from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
The delay, which also impacted Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), temporarily hindered access to funds for various programs and projects, causing widespread distress among civil servants. Many workers, already grappling with rising inflation and economic hardship, were left in financial uncertainty.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) expressed concerns over the delay in a letter to its members. The association’s national president, Philip Ogunsipe, described the situation as a severe financial strain, emphasizing the importance of timely salary payments in alleviating workers’ challenges.
“Timely salary payments are critical for the sustenance of our members and their families,” Ogunsipe stated. “This unwarranted delay has imposed severe financial hardships, further exacerbating the already difficult living conditions faced by Nigerian workers.”
The union attributed the delay to challenges associated with transitioning payroll systems within tertiary institutions.
Meanwhile, some civil servants have confirmed receiving their salaries. A senior director in the Federal Ministry of Defence noted that payments began earlier this week. “The salary came in this morning after quite a number of days. Some of us were contemplating staying home because the delay had become too much,” he said.
A teacher in a government school also confirmed receiving her payment on Monday morning. “I got my salary around 11 a.m. It took a lot of restraint not to borrow money, as we’re already in the second week of December. The government should always prioritize its workers during such times,” she remarked.
The salary payment comes as a relief to workers across various sectors, though calls for smoother payroll transitions and better financial management persist.