By Peter Adelowo
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 alleged misconduct, illegal actions, and incompetence.
In a letter dated January 14, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment and other government authorities, ASURI accused the ASCON DG of violating statutory provisions, intimidating academic staff, and forcing 18 Academic Directors and Deputy Directors to collect termination letters unlawfully.
The union said the action contravenes the ASCON Establishment Act and public service rules, noting that academic staff retire at 65, not 60.
ASURI Secretary-General, Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, warned that Dr. Adepoju’s continued tenure threatens the integrity of ASCON and could embarrass the Federal Government internationally.
The union is mobilising members across research and allied institutions nationwide to resist what it described as a “dangerous precedent,” demanding the reversal of terminations and the immediate removal of the ASCON DG.
Failure to meet the union’s demands, ASURI said, will trigger a nationwide strike and picketing.
The union also highlighted broader concerns about the neglect of research and development institutions and its impact on national development.
ASCON, established in 1972, is Nigeria’s premier management development and executive training institution with global linkages.
