The Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) has formally declared a trade dispute with the Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Dr Funke Adepoju, over what it described as gross misconduct, illegal actions, and incompetence in the administration of the institution. 
 
In a letter dated January 14, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Service Matters Committee, ASURI accused the ASCON DG of violating statutory provisions and intimidating academic staff. 
 
The union alleged that on January 12, 2026, Adepoju stormed the college premises with armed and fully motorised military personnel and compelled 18 Academic Directors and Deputy Directors to receive termination letters, citing age and years of service.
 
ASURI insists that the action contravenes the ASCON Establishment Act, the Public Service Rules, and the Conditions of Service applicable to academic staff in research and tertiary institutions. 
 
According to the union, multiple government directives and enabling laws clearly stipulate that academic staff of ASCON and similar institutions retire at 65, not 60. 

The union further accused the DG of persistent intimidation of staff, absentee leadership, and questionable financial dealings, warning that her continued stay in office threatens the integrity of ASCON and could embarrass the Federal Government internationally. 
 
ASURI Secretary-General, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, stated that the union is mobilising members across all research and allied institutions countrywide to resist what he described as “a dangerous precedent” that could lead to the casualisation and humiliation of academic staff in Nigeria’s research sector.