NANS Demands Immediate Dismissal of NSRDA, CRIN Chiefs Over Corruption Allegations
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the immediate dismissal of Dr. Mathew Adepoju, Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NSRDA), and Dr. P.O. Adebola, Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), over allegations of corruption.
The student body urged President Bola Tinubu to take swift action to remove the two officials, stressing that such a move would serve as a deterrent to others in public office. The demand was made in a press release signed by Oladimeji Uthman, the Clerk of the Senate, and made public on Wednesday.
NANS, in the statement, emphasized its commitment to holding public officeholders accountable for any lack of transparency or mismanagement. The association revealed that several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and interest groups had submitted reports to NANS alleging corruption within the two agencies.
The allegations focused on discrepancies in projects funded by the agencies in the 2023 and 2024 budgets, particularly in the North Central and South Western states, which were said to be inconsistent with the core missions of NSRDA and CRIN.
Despite NANS’ efforts to meet with the agency heads for clarification, all attempts to engage with them proved unsuccessful. This failure to respond, NANS argued, indicated complicity in the alleged corruption. As a result, NANS has vowed to organize a National Mass Action, mobilizing Nigerian students to peacefully demand the removal, arrest, and prosecution of the accused officials.
The planned protest, scheduled for December 2nd and 3rd, 2024, will target the agencies’ offices. NANS expressed that the action aligns with President Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda, aiming to rid the government of individuals who abuse public office. The students reiterated their stance that public office is a trust, and any abuse of that trust is a crime that should not be tolerated.
