Breaking: MINILS Workers lock down institute amidst DG reappointment controversy

Workers at the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) in Ilorin initiated a complete shutdown of the institute on Monday, protesting the reappointment of Comrade Issa Aremu as Director-General. The action, supported by three major unions within the institute, underscores deep-seated grievances related to Aremu’s previous tenure.

The protesting staff allege that the reappointment disregarded numerous petitions detailing alleged financial misconduct, abuse of office, and the creation of a toxic work environment during Aremu’s initial term. The protest effectively paralyzed operations at the MINILS Ganmo campus.

Further fueling the unrest are claims of irregularities surrounding the dispatch of Aremu’s reappointment letter. Workers contend that the letter was improperly routed through the Office of the Minister of Labour, rather than the Minister of State for Labour (Labour II), the office under whose purview MINILS rightfully falls. This deviation from protocol, according to the protestors, was a deliberate attempt to circumvent potentially unfavorable reports.

Union leaders assert that Aremu’s return demonstrates a blatant disregard for due process and employee well-being. Accusations against the Director-General paint a picture of MINILS being operated as a personal domain. A total of eighteen unresolved allegations have been levied, encompassing financial impropriety, extended absences from duty, and the misappropriation of public funds. Workers claim Aremu spent minimal time at the Ilorin office while still receiving full allowances and failed to produce audited financial statements for a three-year period.

Beyond financial concerns, the work environment under Aremu is characterized as toxic. Allegations include verbal abuse, bullying tactics, and the marginalization of staff in crucial decision-making processes. Furthermore, the protestors claim that certain initiatives, such as digital library automation and elaborate public ceremonies, are primarily for media attention rather than genuine institutional advancement.

Efforts to obtain official comments from the institute’s management were unsuccessful, as most senior staff were reportedly unable to access the premises due to the lockdown and were unwilling to provide statements. Comrade Aremu is reportedly out of the country and unavailable for comment.

The protesting workers are now appealing to President Bola Tinubu and the Ministry of Labour to urgently reverse Aremu’s reappointment and install a more suitable candidate with a comprehensive understanding of the institute’s mandate. The situation remains tense, and the future leadership of MINILS hangs in the balance.

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