… Faults Process, Demands Affected Workers Reinstatement Pending Proper Investigation

• Professor Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam
  Managing Director, Ajaokuta Steel Company

A civic advocacy group, Frontier for Transparency (FFT), has backed the disciplinary action taken against some staff of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited accused of theft.

It however faulted the process through which the dismissals were carried out, describing it as “procedurally defective and contrary to public service rules, demanding they be reinstated pending further investigations.

In a press statement on Tuesday, issued in Abuja and signed by its spokesman, Comrade Abdullahi Adams, the group said its findings confirmed that the affected workers were dismissed over allegations of theft and misconduct, offences that, under the Federal Public Service Rules (PSR), could warrant summary dismissal.

However, the group maintained that the management of Ajaokuta Steel erred by not adhering to laid-down civil service procedures before taking such far-reaching decisions.

“While the allegations of theft are weighty and deserve appropriate disciplinary measures, the process adopted in dismissing the affected staff didn’t comply with the Federal Civil Service Commission’s (FCSC) rules. Doing the right thing the wrong way violates the principle of justice and due process”, the statement read.

According to the Group, the management neither obtained ministerial approval nor followed the formal disciplinary procedure required before a dismissal could take effect. The group described the action as “a breach of administrative protocol” and “an unnecessary dent on the integrity of the system.”

“Summary dismissal must still follow due process”, the statement continued. “Every allegation must be investigated, queries issued, and reports submitted to the appropriate authorities for approval. Anything short of this is a violation of the rules governing the federal civil service”.

It called on the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and the Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Prof. Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam, to urgently review the circumstances surrounding the dismissals.

It also urged the new management to reinstate the affected workers pending proper investigation and to ensure that future disciplinary actions strictly comply with the civil service regulations.

“We acknowledge that these incidents predated the appointment of Prof. Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam, but we believe his leadership provides a fresh opportunity to restore fairness, discipline, and transparency at Ajaokuta Steel,” the group noted.»

Frontier for Transparency further commended the appointment of Prof. Abdulsalam, describing him as a man of “proven integrity, discipline, and competence,” whose tenure, it believes, will restore order and confidence in one of Nigeria’s most strategic industrial assets.

The group reiterated its commitment to advocating transparency, accountability, and good governance in all sectors of national life, noting that adherence to due process is the foundation of institutional integrity.

“We’re confident that the Honourable Minister and the new Managing Director will handle this issue with fairness and transparency, ensuring that justice is not only done but is also seen to be done,” the statement added.