Minister of state for labour and employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has called on the director-general of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu, to address concerns over alleged mismanagement and embrace reconciliation for the progress of the institute.
The minister made the remarks during a peace meeting at MINILS (Ilorin) on Thursday, urging both the management and staff to prioritise dialogue over disputes.
At the reconciliation meeting convened at her institute, the minister acknowledged the grievances of the institute’s staff over the DG’s reappointment and allegations brought against him but stressed that the decision of his appointment “remained within the prerogative of the President.”
Accompanied by the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Salihu A. Usman, the director-general of Trade Union Services, Falonipe Amos, and the director of Productivity and Labour Standards, Emmanuel Agbinosun, the minister addressed the protesting workers.
She acknowledged their right to protest over the allegations against the DG but insisted that due process must be followed.
Onyejeocha said, “Your right to express your grievances is not only recognised but is protected within the ethos of democratic governance. However, we must now look beyond contention and towards constructive engagement. The future of MINILS depends not on who leads, and indeed its reputation alone, but on how leadership and followership can work together to rebuild trust.”
To the DG, the minister called for a fresh start, as she said, “I urge you to see this moment as a fresh opportunity, a chance to turn the page, to listen more attentively, to lead more inclusively, and to demonstrate, beyond words, your commitment to reform, development, and institutional harmony.”
She also appealed to the workers, who included the leadership and representatives of the unions in the institute, to remember the institute’s mandate and legacy: “Let us now engage each other in dialogue rather than dispute, in solutions rather than standoffs.”
She announced the formation of a “Joint Reconciliation and Performance Oversight Committee” comprising the management and staff representatives to address the “grievances, monitor leadership performance, and recommend reforms,” adding, “let us embrace this as a new beginning. Let our collective energy be channelled toward growth, innovation, and renewed purpose.”
Earlier, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Salihu A. Usman, called for calm and assured the workers that no “allegation will be swept under the carpet.” He added that “where genuine grievances exist, mechanisms for redress will be activated.”
The workers had accused Aremu of financial misconduct and abuse of office.
This was contained in a joint petition by the institute’s three major unions – SSAUTHRIAI, ASURI and NASU.
