Since the introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as the payment mode for workers employed by the Nigerian government, there have been numerous complaints among workers.
The latest grievances come from junior police officers of the Inspectorate cadre and the rank and file who were promoted in 2023. These aggrieved officers, speaking to SaharaReporters, accused IPPIS officials of demanding N50,000 from them before they could receive the new salaries corresponding to their new ranks.
Before IPPIS, workers in tertiary institutions were paid through the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS). IPPIS was introduced by the government in October 2006 as part of its reform initiatives to effectively store personnel records and promote transparency and accountability.
“I’m a police officer, and this information is about some staff members who are on IPPIS. We want well-meaning Nigerians to help us beg them. We have tried our best; even the police authorities have reached out to them, but nothing has changed,” an aggrieved policeman told SaharaReporters.
“About 10,000 of us were promoted in 2023. I was promoted from unconfirmed Inspector to confirmed Inspector in October 2023. But till now, others and I who were promoted have yet to be paid salaries as confirmed Inspectors. Despite my promotion, I still receive the salary of my former rank.
“Last month, a few of us were paid the confirmed Inspector salary while many were not. But guess what? We realized that those who were paid the right salaries bribed their way. They paid N50,000 each to some persons in the IPPIS office and were paid their rightful salaries.
“Please, we need help; we were promoted on 10/9/2023, and have done all the necessary documentation. IPPIS is responsible for our salaries. Only a few of our colleagues were paid, so some of us asked what was wrong, and IPPIS staff members secretly told us to pay N50,000 before our salaries could be updated.”
Another officer said, “I was promoted in May 2023 to the rank of Inspector but I’m still earning the same salary as when I was a Sergeant. The promotion is only on paper and possibly my uniform as there is no increase in salary. We approached those in IPPIS and were told to pay a bribe like other colleagues enjoying the new salary structure. We are begging Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu to help us as we don’t have any money to pay.”