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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Joint Unions of the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR) have strongly rejected allegations of staff intimidation, redundancy, and financial misconduct, describing a recent report by an online news platform (not The Sun) as “misleading, unverified, and damaging”.
At a press briefing in Kaduna, the union chairman, Umar Musa, criticised the online publication for failing to seek the institute’s response before going to press, accusing it of presenting a one-sided narrative.
He specifically refuted claims that operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps blocked a senior staff member from accessing her office, clarifying that the officer had already been redeployed to the institute’s North-East Zonal Office in Gombe in March 2026.
“She had duly handed over before the incident in question.
“Her presence in Kaduna was solely to attend to a matter with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, not to resume duties,” Musa said.
He added that management acted within civil service rules to maintain order.
On allegations of financial misconduct involving the institute’s Chief Executive Officer, J. J. Ajakaiye, the union confirmed that investigations were ongoing but cautioned against what it described as “trial by media”.
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The case, it noted, was before both the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“No one should be presumed guilty while due process is underway,” Musa stressed.
The union also dismissed as “entirely false” claims that the institute recruited 92 staff in 2026, insisting no such exercise has taken place this year.
It further described reports that over 900 workers are idle as “malicious”, pointing instead to ongoing research and field operations targeting neglected tropical diseases such as sleeping sickness and river blindness across states including Bauchi, Ondo, Bayelsa, and Gombe.
Despite funding constraints, particularly delays in capital releases, the union said staff remain actively engaged in donor-supported programmes and core research activities.
“These claims do not reflect the reality on ground. Our workforce is committed, productive, and central to the institute’s mandate,” Musa said.
The union urged media organisations to uphold professional standards by verifying information before publication, reaffirming that NITR remained focused on its research mission while cooperating fully with ongoing anti-graft investigations.
