Workers shut down MINILS in Ilorin over Issa Aremu’s reappointment as DG

Workers of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINLS) in llorin, Kwara state capital, on Wednesday staged a protest to oppose the reappointment of Issa Aremu as the institute’s director-general.

Aremu’s first four-year tenure ended on May 17, following which the federal government reappointed him.

NAN reports that the protest, organised by the three institute-in-house unions, paralysed academic activities as the workers locked the main gate of the MlNlLS and prevented Aremu from entering the premises.

The unions are the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRAI); and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).

Led by the leaders of the three unions, the protesting workers chanted solidarity songs and carried placards with various inscriptions condemning Aremu’s reappointment.

Two institute staff members, Maryam Abdulrasaq and Ahmadu Yahaya, who spoke with journalists, called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately withdraw Aremu’s reappointment to restore peace and harmony to the institute.

In May, the institute’s workers protested against Aremu, accusing him of mismanagement, insensitivity, and abuse of office.

The protesters, clad in red T-shirts and carrying placards, said staff development has stopped under his leadership, with no meaningful training or capacity-building initiatives.

They also alleged that the institute’s vehicles and funds are diverted for personal and family use, including overseas trips.