The National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) in Jos, once envisioned as a hub for research and innovation in Nigeria’s metallurgical sector, is now at the center of damning allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and systemic collapse.
This investigation, based on staff petitions, documents, video evidence, and eyewitness accounts, reveals a troubling pattern of financial impropriety, failed projects, and institutional decay. A recent protest by staff during the visit of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development further exposed the gravity of the crisis.
Allegations Against Leadership
At the heart of the accusations is the Director-General (DG), Prof. Linus Asuquo, who has been repeatedly named by staff as the chief architect of the centre’s decline. Allegations include:
- Financial Misappropriation: Over ₦2.5 billion allegedly diverted or misused since 2018.
- Contractual Irregularities: Awards of illegal contracts to “ghost companies,” in violation of procurement laws.
- Failed Projects & Equipment: Purchase of obsolete or non-functional machinery, including laboratory equipment that has never been put to use.
- Abuse of Office: Intimidation, demotions, and redeployment of staff who resist or expose corruption.
- Systemic Breakdown: Collapse of the centre’s research, training, and maintenance functions, leaving it largely defunct.
Findings of the Investigation
Financial and Procurement Fraud
Evidence reviewed shows widespread financial irregularities. One major example is the procurement of an XRF (X-ray Fluorescence spectrometer) machine in 2019 for ₦329 million. According to staff and internal records, the machine was non-functional from the start, having been previously rejected by another institution before being transferred to NMDC.
Staff also accuse the DG of authorizing contracts far above his ₦2.5 million approval limit. In one documented case, he approved a contract worth ₦148.5 million. Audit reports further expose fake quotations, missing vouchers, and financial discrepancies estimated at over ₦1.5 billion. Funds earmarked for laboratory operations, safety, and staff training were reportedly diverted.
Institutional Collapse
The cumulative effect of corruption has been the paralysis of NMDC’s core functions. Video evidence and staff testimony confirm that laboratories are deserted and equipment is idle. One staff member bluntly described the centre as “dead,” noting that “not one machine works.”
This dysfunction has eroded staff morale. Promotions are delayed, training opportunities have disappeared, and some employees lack basic safety gear. There are reports of work-related health risks, including at least one death from cancer allegedly linked to unsafe working conditions.
Posters carried during the staff protest highlighted deep-seated grievances:
- “Overhaul the HR Dept to Save NMDC.”
- “We are Tired of 7 Years of No Research Activity.”
- “ICPC and EFCC to Investigate ₦2.5B Embezzlement.”
- “Asuquo Must Go.”
Some also accused the DG of religious bias and victimization. Protesters alleged that staff who refused to cooperate with corrupt practices were either demoted or redeployed.
Attempts to Suppress Criticism
The management has been accused of silencing dissent. A journalist, Dahiru, who reported on the centre’s rot, was publicly challenged by NMDC’s spokesperson, Sunny Eweama, who accused him of misrepresentation. Dahiru, however, stood by his report and insisted he had documentary proof of his claims, further suggesting attempts by management to control the narrative.
Conclusion
The evidence paints a bleak picture: NMDC, once envisioned as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial growth, is now on the brink of collapse. Allegations of corruption, failed equipment, and suppression of staff voices have turned the institution into a shell of its purpose.
The staff protest underscores the urgency of the situation. Without decisive government intervention—through an independent investigation and leadership overhaul—the NMDC risks total collapse. As one protest placard put it, the centre is not only failing but “being buried under corruption.”
