A mass protest erupted at the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) in Jos on Thursday, as workers demanded the removal of the embattled Director‑General, Professor Linus Asuquo. Staff members marched with placards bearing slogans such as “Asuquo Must Go” and “No to Nepotism,” calling for urgent government intervention to prevent the research centre’s total collapse. The demonstration follows a damning exposé by *Daily Nigerian* that revealed corruption and mismanagement at the NMDC.
In response, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development dispatched a high‑powered delegation, led by Permanent Secretary Chris Osokpunwu, to assess the situation. The delegation assured workers that their concerns would be heard and that no staff member would be queried or victimised for participating in the peaceful protest.
Represented by their unions, the workers appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revitalize the NMDC, describing it as a strategically positioned research centre in Africa that has become a shadow of its former self due to failed leadership and corruption. They accused Professor Asuquo of neglecting the centre’s affairs and demanded his removal. The Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) and the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRAI) condemned the harassment of union members and highlighted the poor working conditions.
The staff claim they have not received their entitlements for seven years and are exposed to hazardous conditions without safety provisions. Established in 1973 as West Africa’s first metallurgical testing laboratory, the NMDC was intended to pioneer research and analysis for Nigeria’s steel industry. Despite decades of funding, the centre has failed to reach its potential. Recent revelations show that billions of naira were misappropriated under Professor Asuquo’s watch, with key research activities halted due to the procurement of non‑functional equipment and diversion of intervention funds.
The workers are urging the federal government to bring in experts to assess the hazards they face and to take decisive action to revive the NMDC. The protest, coupled with the Ministry’s intervention, marks a significant step toward addressing the crisis and ensuring the centre can fulfil its potential as a leading research institution in Africa.
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