Research Institute denies report on redundancy
The Joint Unions of the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, on Thursday dismissed allegations that over 900 staff of the institute were idle, describing the claim as false and malicious. Addressing journalists at the institute alongside other union executives, the Joint Chairman, Dr Umar Musa, said he was speaking on behalf of the […]
The Joint Unions of the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, on Thursday dismissed allegations that over 900 staff of the institute were idle, describing the claim as false and malicious.
Addressing journalists at the institute alongside other union executives, the Joint Chairman, Dr Umar Musa, said he was speaking on behalf of the unions, insisting that the report, published by an online platform (not Daily Trust? on April 16, 2026, was misleading and aimed at tarnishing the image of the institute.
Musa said contrary to the allegation, workers of the institute remained actively engaged in research and related activities, particularly in the study and control of neglected tropical diseases such as sleeping sickness and river blindness.
He explained that the institute had ongoing research and intervention activities in several states, including Bauchi, Ondo, Bayelsa and Gombe, with recorded successes despite prevailing challenges.
According to him, like other public research institutions, NITR depends largely on releases from the Federal Government to execute its core mandate, including field research, laboratory work, vector control, equipment procurement and capacity development.
He, however, acknowledged that delays in the release of capital funds for the 2025 fiscal year had affected the scale and pace of some projects, especially field research.
“Despite these challenges, staff have continued to demonstrate commitment by supporting donor-funded and collaborative research initiatives, maintaining essential institutional functions and safeguarding the institute’s mandate,” he said.
The union leader said these efforts clearly contradicted claims that workers were redundant, stressing that staff remained productive within available resources.
Musa also dismissed other allegations contained in the report, including claims of staff intimidation by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), irregular recruitment and financial misappropriation.
On the alleged denial of access to office involving a senior staff member, he said the officer had been redeployed to the institute’s North East Zonal Office in Gombe and had already handed over her duties in line with Public Service Rules.
He added that her presence in Kaduna was only to attend to an ongoing case with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and did not authorise her to resume at her former post.
Musa further noted that allegations of financial misappropriation involving the institute’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr J.J. Ajakaiye, and others were already under investigation by the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), warning against premature conclusions.
He also described as untrue claims that the institute had recruited 92 staff, stating that recruitment processes could not have been concluded at this stage of the year.