Group urges Tinubu to reverse appointment of new DG, National Productivity Centre

By Mohammad Dada

A coalition for change has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rescind his decision on appointing the new Director General of the National Productivity Centre (NPC). The coalition emphasized that the NPC has historically been a professional training ground where successive DGs have risen through the ranks.

In a statement released on Sunday, the coalition’s secretary, Laide Ganiyu, countered the removal of the current Director General, Dr. Raji Mustapha, and urged President Tinubu to reverse the decision without delay. Ganiyu stated that maintaining the integrity of the NPC, as a hub for advancing national productivity, is crucial for the country’s growth and development.

Laide Ganiyu highlighted that in the history of the NPC, the Director General position has been filled by individuals who have risen through the organization’s ranks, not through political appointments.

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“The current Director General, Dr. Raji Mustapha, joined the centre as an assistant productivity officer about 30 years ago and rose through the ranks to become the DG in May 2023, following the expiration of his predecessor’s tenure,” said Ganiyu.

Ganiyu also noted that former Minister of Labour, Senator Dr. Chris Ngige, had properly briefed former President Buhari before Dr. Mustapha’s appointment and ratification. He argued that President Tinubu should uphold the quest for a productive society championed by the current leadership.

“There is no way a political appointee, who does not understand the intricacies of a productivity-linked society, can effectively lead the NPC in its mission to train both private and public organizations,” warned Ganiyu. He stressed the potential negative consequences of allowing political appointees to infiltrate the core training functions of the NPC.

The coalition urged President Tinubu to reconsider the appointment, emphasizing that the leadership and succession of the NPC should remain distinct from political appointments.