ASURI declares trade dispute with ASCON DG

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) has formally declared a trade dispute with the Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Dr. (Mrs) Funke Adepoju, over what it described as gross misconduct, illegal actions, and incompetence in the administration of the institution.

In a letter addressed to the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Public Service Matters Committee, ASURI accused the ASCON Director-General of violating statutory provisions and intimidating academic staff.

The union alleged that on January 12, 2026, Dr. Adepoju stormed the college premises with armed and fully motorized military personnel and compelled 18 Academic Directors and Deputy Directors to collect termination letters, citing age and years of service.

ASURI insists the action contravenes the ASCON Establishment Act, the Public Service Rules, and the Conditions of Service applicable to academic staff in research and tertiary institutions.

According to the union, multiple government directives and enabling laws clearly stipulate that academic staff of ASCON and similar institutions retire at 65, not 60.

The union further accused the DG of persistent intimidation of staff, absentee leadership, and questionable financial dealings, warning that her continued stay in office threatens the integrity of ASCON and could embarrass the Federal Government internationally.

ASURI Secretary-General, Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, stated that the union is mobilising members across all research and allied institutions nationwide to resist what it described as “a dangerous precedent” that could lead to the casualisation and humiliation of academic staff in Nigeria’s research sector.

The union’s demands include the immediate reversal of the termination of the affected academic staff and the removal of Dr. Adepoju as Director-General. Failure to meet these demands, ASURI warned, will result in a nationwide strike and picketing across research and allied institutions.

ASCON, established in 1972, is Nigeria’s premier management development and executive training institution, with global linkages and a mandate comparable to university-level academic and research functions. ASURI argues that undermining its statutory framework is symptomatic of the broader neglect of research and development institutions, which has contributed to Nigeria’s insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and weak industrial capacity.

The Federal Government is yet to issue an official response to the union’s declaration.