FG Finally Pays November Salaries After Unexplained Glitch

By Achimi muktar

After weeks of anxiety and financial strain among civil servants, the Federal Government has commenced the long-awaited payment of November 2024 salaries. The delay, attributed to the ongoing migration from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), left many workers in dire straits as inflation and economic challenges mounted.

The Cause of the Delay

The transition between payroll systems temporarily disrupted operations, affecting not just salary payments but also the ability of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to access funds for their programs and projects.

For civil servants, the delay led to mounting frustrations. Many struggled to meet basic needs, compounding the pressures of Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.

Workers’ Voices: A Cry for Timely Payments

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) was among the first to raise alarm over the issue. In a letter to its members, SSANIP National President Philip Ogunsipe condemned the delay, emphasizing its impact on workers’ survival.

“Timely salary payments are not just essential but critical for the sustenance of our members and their families,” Ogunsipe wrote. “This unwarranted delay has imposed severe financial hardships, further exacerbating the already difficult living conditions faced by Nigerian workers.”

The union called on the government to prioritize the welfare of its employees, particularly during significant system transitions.

Relief at Last: Salaries Begin to Drop

Reports confirm that salaries have started hitting workers’ accounts. A senior director in the Federal Ministry of Defence shared relief, saying, “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.”

Similarly, a teacher in a government school expressed her gratitude but noted the strain caused by the delay.

“I can confirm that my salary came in on Monday morning around 11 a.m. It took restraint on my part not to borrow money, as we’re already in the second week of December. The government should always consider its workers in times like this,” she said.

Lessons Learned: The Need for Payroll Stability

The delay underscores the critical need for seamless transitions when adopting new financial systems. As workers finally receive their November salaries, many are calling for mechanisms to ensure such disruptions do not recur.

The Federal Government’s decision to modernize payroll systems is a step toward transparency and efficiency, but the welfare of its employees must remain a top priority throughout the process.