The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and other agencies under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Ismail Tijani (APC-Kwara) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Tijani stated that the NSITF was currently recruiting for management positions. He alleged that only people from a particular part of the country were being recruited, negating the principles of Federal Character.

According to him, labour minister Chris Ngige is embroiled in a battle to control ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), including the NSITF.

The lawmaker added that the minister had been summoned by the National Assembly for alleged misdemeanours in 2016 and 2021, respectively. He stated that the summons followed allegations of employment irregularities, impunity, and anomalies indicating gross abuse of office.

He further mentioned that the current recruitment process at the NSITF, alleged to be biased, could negatively affect the promotion of hardworking staff of the agency.

“The alleged undue favouritism in the ongoing recruitment exercise at the NSITF could prevent the country from deriving the maximum benefits from the MDAs,” he explained.

The House, therefore, mandated the Committees on Federal Character and Labour, Employment and Productivity to investigate the ongoing recruitment in NSITF and other agencies under it.

The lawmakers also recommended appropriate sanctions for anyone found culpable of undue favouritism and asked the committee to report within four weeks for further legislative action.

(NAN)