NAFDAC workers threaten nationwide strike

By Muhammed Yakubu On Sep 14, 2024

SSASCGOC, NAFDAC, workers, strike , lopsided promotion, welfare — NAFDAC workers begin nationwide strike over lopsided promotion, welfare

Two workers’ unions, Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) and Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) have rejected the released 2024 promotional examination results of NAFDAC staff over the mass failure recorded in the exercise that has raised significant concerns regarding the fairness, transparency, and overall integrity of the examination process.

The unions said it is highly unacceptable that a substantial number of competent and dedicated staff members who have consistently demonstrated high performance and commitment to their duties, would fail en masse.

The bodies noted that the outcome not only demoralizes the workforce but also undermines the credibility of the examination and promotion process within the Agency whereby 65% of staff failed with only 35% sealing through.

The SSASCGOC in a letter sighted by SolaceBase jointly signed by Chairman and Secretary, Idzi Isua and Ejor Micheal respectively, and addressed to NAFDAC Director General issued a seven-day ultimatum starting from Friday, September 13th 2024 to address the anomalies to avoid a nationwide strike of NAFDAC staff.

The letter read in part,’’ The results have been met with widespread discontent and frustration among the staff, who feel that their efforts, skills, and contributions to the Agency’s success are not being appropriately recognized or rewarded. The examination process, as it stands, appears flawed and unreflective of the actual capabilities and performance of the staff.

The demands to be met within seven days are as follows:

i. Review of 2024 Promotion Examination Results

An immediate review and re-evaluation of the 2024 Promotion Examination Results to be done

within the next seven (7) days to provide an opportunity for more staff members to be

promoted.

ii. Appointment of Directors for Public Affairs/Special Duties and Training

Institute

Currently, there are no Directors for the Public Affairs/Special Duties, and Training Institute,

which severely undermines the operations of these essential units. It is imperative that

qualified Administrative Officers at the Directorate Cadre be appointed to these roles within the

next seven (7) days to ensure continuity and effectiveness in these key areas.

ii, Reform of Promotion Examination Content

The NAFDAC promotion examinations are overly academic and do not align with the

daily , functions of the respective staff., This disconnect compromises the relevance and

applicability of the examination outcomes. It is essential that promotion examinations be

restructured to reflect the practical responsibilities and contributions of staff, thereby ensuring

a more accurate assessment of their capabilities.

iv. Expansion and Full Utilization of Promotion Vacancies

The practice of leaving vacancies unfilled is counterproductive and negatively affects staff

career progression. All vacancies should be fully utilized in all promotion exercises, with an

expansion of available positions to accommodate deserving personnel awaiting promotion.

V. Timely Disclosure of APER/PER/KPI Scores

For the sake of transparency and fairness, it is essential that APER, PER, and KPI SCores be

made available to participating staff at least one month before the promotion examinations.

This measure would allow staff to adequately prepare and understand their evaluation metrics

and contest their scores where necessary.

vi. Qualification and Conversion Criteria for Promotion Examinations

There have been instances where officers have taken promotion examinations different from their originally designated cadre at the point of entry (employment) while possessing the requisite qualifications or undergoing formal conversion as stipulated by extant rules. This practice must cease immediately. A dear policy ensuring that only eligible and

qualified candidates participate in the relevant examinations should be implemented within the

next seven (7) days.

vi. Resolution of Tied Promotion Examination Scores

In cases of tied promotion examination scores, there should be a transparent and fair

resolution process, such as a re-examination or the use of additional qualifications or

certifications to break the tie. This measure should be instituted to resolve the case in point in

the 2024 promotion examination within the next seven (7) days to prevent any further discrepancies or perceived unfairness.

viii. Inclusion of the Union in Promotion Processes

To ensure a fair and inclusive promotion process, it is essential that the Union be involved in

the exercise. Their participation would enhance the transparency and credibility of the

promotion outcomes, thereby reinforcing staff confidence in the system.

Similarly, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in its letter titled ‘’Protest Against The Released 2024 Promotion Result by NAFDAC was addressed to Chairman, NAFDAC Board, with the attention of the agency Director General.

The letter also sighted by SolaceBase was signed by Chairman, Comrade Adetogoye Ayodeji R and Secretary Comrade Aledeh A.Salih with ultimatum of seven days to address irregularities in the promotional examination results or face industrial unrest.

It said the situation is a complete recipe for the de-motivation of the agençy’s work force.

According to the letter, ‘’A situation whereby out of 713 staff (excluding those aspiring to the rank of Director), only 255 (36%) were promoted, is simply unacceptable. The complete lack of transparency and the wanton secrecy of the entire processes leading to the outcome of the 2024 Promotion Exercise is also conferring to it the title of the “worst and most traumatizing” promotion exercise in the history of NAFDAC.

The letter read,’’ Despite several efforts by the Union to ensure that the Management of

NAFDAC put a human face to the 2024 Promotion Exercise, we have woken up to the reality that a huge 64% of the staff who worked hard and studied for the exams have been needlessly denied promotion even though majority of the staff have scored 60% and above. The so-called “Absence of

Vacancy” has been used to deny hardworking and deserving staff their promotions and this is totally unacceptable. While in other health Agencies, promotions are done at 90% to 100% pass rate why is NAFDAC an exception?

‘’We are aware that over 500 vacancies were available to be filled in the 2024 Promotion Exercise, but the NAFDAC management promoted only 255. We are also aware that a secret recruitment or “replacement” exercise is going on. While we are also calling for proper recruitment in NAFDAC, this so-called replacement is a conduit to be used to siphon the vacancies meant for hardworking staff. This is totally unacceptable as you cannot rob Peter to pay Paul.

SolaceBase gathered that those allegedly secretly recruited by NAFDAC are expected to resume any moment from now as the agency did not advertise the positions but rather interviewed them and engaged them without due process at the expense of the staff who wrote the promotional examination as most of the new employees yet to resume are middle and senior officers cadre.