By Dansu Peter The Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) has raised alarm over the reported appointment of Mrs. Funke Adep...
By Dansu Peter
The Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) has raised alarm over the reported appointment of Mrs. Funke Adepoju as the new Director General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, describing the decision as unlawful and inconsistent with federal regulations.
In a strongly worded petition dated May 2, 2025, and signed by ASURI’s Secretary General, Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, the union urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the appointment, which it claims violates the established norms for recruiting heads of federal research and training institutions. ASURI contends that the process leading to Mrs. Adepoju’s selection lacked transparency, citing the absence of any public advertisement, shortlisting, written or oral examinations, or formal interviews as grounds for invalidating the exercise.
“We dare to state that the appointment could not have had the blessing of Mr. President,” the union declared, arguing that it sharply contradicts the Tinubu administration’s professed commitment to due process and institutional reform.
ASURI further emphasized that Mrs. Adepoju, being an external candidate, was appointed in direct disregard of both the 2019 Conditions of Service for Federal Research and Development Agencies (COS 2019) and a key circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) dated November 23, 2017. Both documents, the union noted, mandate that vacancies for such positions be filled from among qualified internal candidates in line with succession planning and merit-based career progression.
The union expressed dismay that the appointment came just weeks after the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) had been praised for acting in line with these very rules. In a letter dated April 24, ASURI had commended the HCSF for naming Mr. Olutunde Oladele Eniaiyejuni—who had served as deputy to the former Director General for eight years—as Acting Chief Executive upon the expiration of Mrs. Cecilia Umaru Gaya’s tenure on April 9, 2025.
Referencing specific clauses in COS 2019, the union reiterated that in the absence of a substantive DG, the most senior internal Research Director should oversee the institution. It also cited provisions that require selection committees to give first consideration to outstanding internal candidates when appointing a substantive head.
The union’s petition called on President Tinubu not only to nullify the appointment of Mrs. Adepoju, but also to ensure that ASCON’s next substantive DG emerges from within the college’s leadership ranks, in line with federal policy and long-standing institutional tradition.
“ASCON has for decades nurtured a committed cadre of professionals who possess deep institutional memory, technical expertise, and a profound understanding of the College’s mandate,” ASURI wrote. “To bypass these qualified internal candidates in favour of an external individual would constitute a demoralising breach of both the letter and spirit of the Federal Government’s policies on public sector career progression, institutional development, and succession planning.”
The union urged the President to uphold justice, equity, and the principles of continuity that underpin Nigeria’s civil service structure.
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