The President of the National Association of Auctioneers, Mr. Musa Kurra, has urgently appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the critical issues plaguing the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST). Highlighting a range of problems including incompetence, absenteeism, and staff intimidation, Kurra has called for the immediate removal of NIPOST’s Postmaster General, Tola Odeyemi.
Kurra’s call comes amid growing concerns over NIPOST’s deteriorating state, which he attributes to Odeyemi’s mismanagement and lack of qualifications. “The state of abandonment of NIPOST services should not be condoned or entertained,” Kurra stated, emphasizing that Odeyemi’s approach does not align with President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda. He insists that evidence shows Odeyemi is unprepared for her role and has lost the President’s trust.
The decline in NIPOST’s services became more pronounced after Odeyemi’s appointment on October 11, 2023, replacing former CEO Adeyemi Adepoju. Kurra criticized Odeyemi for neglecting NIPOST’s core mandate of mail conveyance and delivery, resulting in unacceptable service levels.
Kurra further alleged that Odeyemi rarely attends her office, only appearing sporadically despite being in the country. This negligence, according to Kurra, is causing significant financial losses for Nigerians and damaging the administration’s reputation. He also accused Odeyemi of hiring personal assistants to shield herself from staff and using Department of State Security personnel to intimidate employees during meetings.
Highlighting the operational failures, Kurra pointed to the abandonment of customer items at major NIPOST hubs, including the Ikeja airport and offices in Shamolu and state capitals. He recounted an incident where a NIPOST truck was impounded in Niger State due to a lawsuit over undelivered items.
An anonymous NIPOST staff member corroborated Kurra’s claims, describing a leadership style marked by arrogance and isolation. According to this staffer, Odeyemi’s administration has neglected NIPOST’s essential functions, leading to widespread customer complaints and legal actions.
The situation is dire, with nearly 12,000 jobs at risk and the agency’s role in supporting Nigeria’s economy undermined. “For the past eight months, NIPOST has been on auto-drive while the quality of services and revenue have taken a nose dive,” the staff member said, noting that the agency’s funds are being misused to maintain Odeyemi’s lavish lifestyle.
Kurra also criticized Odeyemi’s efforts to amend the NIPOST Act to restructure the agency and replace staff with her associates, arguing that the real issue is leadership, not structure. He called on President Tinubu to review Odeyemi’s performance and rectify the mistake of her appointment.
“As the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clocks one year with notable achievements in some sectors, it has been a tale of woes for NIPOST under the clueless leadership of the current PMG,” Kurra lamented, urging immediate corrective action.
