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. Funke Adepoju, over what it described as gross misconduct, illegal actions, and incompetence in the administration of the institution.

In a letter dated January 14, 2026 and addressed to the 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 countrywide 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.

“We of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), representing the interests of Research Fellows in Federal Research and Development Institutes (RDIs), Inter-University Centres, Colleges and Allied Agencies, acting in the collective interest of our members and in defense of the statutory mandate of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), hereby formally issue notice of a trade dispute, impending nationwide strike action and picketing in protest against the gross misconduct, illegal actions, and manifest incompetence of the Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Dr. Funke Adepoju, and demands her immediate termination.

“This action arises from persistent and flagrant violations of the ASCON Establishment Act, unfair labour practices, and the demonstrated lack of requisite cognate experience and competence to administer ASCON — an institution of national pride with a long-standing global reputation,” Professor Ndubuaku stated.

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.

It argued that undermining ASCON’s 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.

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. (Guardian)