NISER Workers Stage Peaceful Protest Against Imposition Of DG Gbadebo Smith For Second Term
Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
The Unions of the Nigerian Institutes of Social And Economic Research NISER, Ibadan on Tuesday through a peaceful protest expressed their displeasure over the “perceived imposition” of the Director General Folarin Gbedebo Smith for second term in office.
The protest was staged by the three bodies which comprises of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, (ASURI)), the Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions. (SSAUTHRIAI) and Non – Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
While expressing their grievances, the workers were seen with various placards to drive home their points.
While addressing journalists, Comrade Babatimehin Muyiwa, Chairman Joint Action Committee (JAC) who also double as the Chairman of Academic Staff of Research Institutions (ASURI) in the State, said the last few weeks has been an intriguing one for members of staff who have been taken aback by some of the actions of the DG – NISER that was laid bare in the petition by Joint Action Committee of the Institute.
Comrade Babatimehin stressed that JAC, after a careful assessment of the events at the NISER in the last three to four years, submitted a petition to the governing Council as well as other Institutions, where we demanded for investigation into some procedural, administrative and financial infractions which are inimical to the development of NISER as an entity and the individual staff that make up the Institute.
” We carried out an analysis of the administration of Dr. Gbadebo Smith and came to realization that it has been four years of retrogression and little in the way of the value – addition, vis – a – vis resources released by the front government, there were no corresponding output when compared with the resource input.
He further reeled out three petitions hinged on ground for the Director General as thus, lack of prima – facie qualification for the position of Director General and procedural inadequacies in his appointment.
DG Smith administration was also alleged to have embezzled public funds to the tune of N1b, which was said have been released for capital expenditure to NISER between 2017 – 2020, with non – commensurate output (both research and non – research).
That the DG Smith is a Dentist by profession annd possess no research degree (Ph. D) that could have qualified him as a socio – economic researcher.
Comrade Babatimehin said DG Smith’s appointment was also clearly in contravention of the conditions of service for federal research and development agencies, institutes and colleges.
When contacted for his reaction, the embattled DG Folarin Gbadebo Smith said that the committee has been set up to look into the matter and he has been asked not to speak on the matter by the supervisory minister until the committee comes out with it’s resolutions.
Some of the other officers of the Union at the protest were Comrade Tubi Theophilus Chairman NASU of the Research Institute, Comrade Matthew Olagunju Chairman, SSAUTHRIAI among others.
