The National Youth Vanguard (NYC) has called upon President Bola Tinubu to urgently reconsider the appointment of Baffa Agundi as the new director general of the National Productivity Center (NPC).
The NYV national president, Olawale Abdulrahman, claimed that the president was misled in making the new appointment.
The NYV said the appointment is harmful to a longstanding tradition of promoting individuals from within the NPC ranks, based on merit, professional qualifications, and a deep understanding of the organization’s mission.
NYV said its investigation showed that the current DG, Dr. Raji Mustapha, exemplifies this tradition, as he joined the NPC as an assistant productivity officer three decades ago and, has, through dedication, expertise, and a profound commitment to the center’s goals, ascended to the role of DG in May 2023, following the completion of his predecessor’s term.
“Therefore, appointing someone with a political background, such as Baffa Agundi, who lacks the necessary professional experience and understanding of productivity management, significantly undermines the integrity and effectiveness of the NPC. As the central institution responsible for advancing productivity across both private and public sectors in Nigeria, the NPC requires leadership that is deeply rooted in professional experience rather than political connections.
“We in NYV join other concerned Nigerians to express strong reservations about the political nature of Agundi’s appointment. It is obviously a significant departure from the NPC’s established practice of promoting professionals from within its own ranks. Placing a politically connected individual at the helm of the NPC could jeopardize the center’s effectiveness, its mission, and its ability to drive national productivity.“
The youth also raised concerns about the qualifications and professional background of the new appointee.
“President Tinubu should prioritise the organisation’s professional ethos over political patronage, ensuring that the NPC remains focused on its core mission of advancing productivity in Nigeria,” the group said.