CSOs Demand Sack of NSITF Leadership Over Alleged Intimidation, Financial Irregularities

_A coalition of 37 civil society organisations (CSOs) has called for the immediate removal of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, as well as the agency’s Board Chairman, over allegations of staff intimidation, mass resignations, and financial misconduct.

The group, operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of 37 Civil Society Organisations for Transparency, Accountability and Workers’ Rights, raised concerns over what it described as worsening internal instability within the NSITF, including reports of employee victimisation and a rising wave of resignations.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the coalition said it was troubling that an agency established to protect Nigerian workers was now being accused of failing to safeguard the welfare of its own staff.

> “We find it unacceptable that an institution established to protect Nigerian workers is now facing allegations that its own workers are being subjected to pressure, fear and administrative highhandedness,” the group stated.

The CSOs said the reported exit of staff members points to deeper structural and managerial issues that require urgent intervention by the Federal Government.

They also referenced allegations circulating in the public domain regarding the management of the agency, including claims of financial irregularities, the operation of over 100 bank accounts, and an alleged ₦297 billion scandal. While stressing that the claims remain unproven, the coalition said they are serious enough to warrant immediate investigation.

> “While these allegations remain subject to investigation, their gravity requires immediate action by relevant authorities,” the statement added.

The coalition called for the immediate suspension or removal of the NSITF Managing Director and Board Chairman, alongside a comprehensive forensic audit of the agency and an independent probe into alleged staff victimisation.

It also urged key anti-corruption agencies — including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Code of Conduct Bureau — as well as the National Assembly to launch full-scale investigations into the allegations.

The coalition further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in order to restore public confidence in the agency.

Issuing a seven-day ultimatum, the group warned that failure to act could trigger nationwide peaceful protests targeting the NSITF headquarters, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the National Assembly, and other key government institutions.

> “Failure to comply with these demands will leave the Coalition with no option but to commence a continuous and indefinite peaceful nationwide protest… until the Managing Director and Chairman are removed from office and investigations commenced,” it warned.

The statement was jointly signed by representatives of the coalition, including Comrade Ibrahim Musa, Chief Emeka Nwankwo, and Ambassador Taiwo Olaniyi.

The CSOs maintained that urgent reforms are necessary to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper governance within institutions responsible for workers’ welfare.