Tola Odeyemi Assumes Duty Despite Opposition 

Tola Odeyemi, the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), has resumed office despite significant resistance from disgruntled employees. This controversial situation came into play when President Bola Tinubu removed Adeyemi Adepoju from the role of CEO/Post Master General and appointed Odeyemi as the new successor.

Previously, aggrieved employees had organized a protest, leading to the closure of the head office in Abuja, in order to express their disapproval of Odeyemi’s appointment.

Tolu Adeyemi resumed office amidst concerns

As part of a wider leadership reshuffle involving agencies and parastatals within the Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, the decision was made. The turmoil reached its peak at NIPOST’s headquarters in Abuja, where dissatisfied employees vehemently opposed Odeyemi’s appointment. 

Their primary concern was that Adepoju’s reform efforts, implemented in the past year, should be allowed to persist, as they believed that his removal would hinder NIPOST’s progress.

Nonetheless, Odeyemi has taken on her responsibilities, officially stepping into the office at approximately 1 p.m. She promptly initiated conversations with senior directors and notably declined a chair offered to her, choosing a different seat.

What you should know

Last Friday, NIPOST issued a statement asserting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had reinstated Sunday Adepoju. Nevertheless, a video circulating online displayed Adepoju departing from NIPOST’s headquarters on the subsequent Monday.

It’s worthy of note that President Bola Tinubu had recently removed Adepoju from the position of CEO/Post Master General at NIPOST, appointing Odeyemi in his stead. This announcement was conveyed by Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, as part of a broader leadership reorganization affecting agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy.

Odeyemi’s appointment is a historic milestone as it marks the first time a female CEO has assumed the leadership of NIPOST.