IPPIS: Universities that misuse its autonomy will be sanctioned – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has cautioned federal universities in the country to exercise their autonomies  with common sense and responsibility.

The president warned that there will be consequences for universities  that breach the extant regulations.

He stated  this at the International Convention Centre of the University of Calabar during the 36th Convocation Ceremony  for doctorate degree graduates  of the University of Calabar over the weekend.

The president whose address was read by the Minister of Education Professor Tahir Mamman said his administration places premium on education and this is why he removed them from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System( IPPIS) to free them from bureaucracy.

“This administration places premium in funding of education by creating funding opportunities and providing  funding options designed to advance research, teaching and learning.

“Government recently exempted tertiary institutions from the IPPIS  as a way of freeing  them from the encumbrances of bureaucracy.

“This matter is now totally laid to rest as the Federal Executive Council has approved the guidelines on governance in financial institutions for universities.

“This is giving back powers to the universities  as provided for under the relevant act.

“”This autonomy must be utilized responsibly  and with common sense as the guidelines clearly provide that there will be consequences for breach of extant regulations”, the president said.

President Tinubu said the university system has a key role to play in fulfilling this administration’s agenda as it is expected to be a part of the execution for a renewed Nigeria.

The president also charged universities to prepare its students adequately for the jobs of today and unknown jobs of tomorrow.

He  expressed displeasure over sexual misconduct of some lecturers in the University of Calabar.

He mandated the institution to cleanse itself of these misfits  and ensure the campus is free of such deviants.

In her speech, the Vice Chancellor thanked the president for exempting tertiary institutions from the IPPIS.

She also pleaded with the president to help provide more  security to protect staff and students.

She told the president that one of its staff Professor Ekanem Ephraim,  has been in captivity for over a year and pleaded with him to help rescue her.

She equally pleaded with the Education Minister to help the institution in renovating it’s library which has been shut for about two years due to a major  structural defect.