NIPOST staff lock headquarters, reject new postmaster general

Members of staff of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) have locked the entrance gate of the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

The protest on Monday was against the appointment of Tola Adeyemi as the new chief executive officer (CEO) and postmaster general of NIPOST.

On Saturday, the NIPOST announced that Adeyemi Adepoju has been reinstated as the postmaster general of the agency.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu relieved Adepoju of his role and appointed Odeyemi as the new CEO of NIPOST.

The announcement made by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, was part of the leadership shuffle implemented for agencies and parastatals under the ministry of communications, innovations and digital economy.

However, in a new statement published on NIPOST’s official X account on Saturday, the agency said the president had reinstated Adepoju.

The statement said Adepoju was reinstated “due to his exceptional leadership and performance”.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has reinstated Rt. Honorable Adeyemi Sunday Adepoju as the Postmaster General of the Federation & CEO of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) due to his exceptional leadership and performance,” the statement reads.

“Sunday Adepoju conveyed his appreciation to the President and other key supporters.

“He pledged to redouble his efforts to elevate NIPOST into a world-class digital postal service & align his vision with that of the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation & Digital Economy in contributing significantly to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

“This reinstatement is a testament to Adepoju’s leadership skills and unwavering commitment to service. Nigerians can anticipate enhanced value & quality services from NIPOST, an agency dedicated to providing efficient, reliable, and effective postal services across the nation through a network of over 3000 post offices, offering a wide range of services including mailing, logistics, courier, and financial services.”

A video of Adepoju in a jubilatory mood over the purported reinstatement has since surfaced on social media.

In the video, he is seen arriving in a sport utility vehicle (SUV) into what looks like a NIPOST premises where he was acknowledging cheers from a jubilating crowd.

However, the presidency has yet to release an official statement confirming the reinstatement of Adepoju as the postmaster general of NIPOST.

Ngalale was not immediately available when contacted by TheCable for clarification on the development as calls to his mobile phone did not go through while messages sent failed to deliver.