As part of its oversight responsibility, Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) has accused the management of Public Service Institute of Nigeria PSIN of fraud, administrative irregularities, and mismanagement, in contravention of extant laws.
Established in 2004, PSIN was designed to strengthen leadership capacity and modernize public service practices through training, research, and consultancy. However, recent developments suggest the institute may be falling short of its mandate amid internal disputes and accusations of misconduct.
In a press release signed by Comrades Danesi Momoh Prince and Igwe Ude-Umanta; National Coordinator and Secretary respectively, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent, EUYI alleged that the appointment of the current Administrator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mrs. Imeh Patience Okon, did not follow due process as outlined in the institute’s Establishment.
According to the release, “we are currently witnessing a situation at PSIN where selfish interests are replacing national interest through installation of mediocrity reinforced by ego, nepotism, and other pecuniary interests. This is totally unacceptable for an institution that was established to be a centre of excellence public service be hijacked and mismanaged by a selfish few. We are committed to exposing the rot and restoring the Institute to its original glory.
“The greatest fraud at the Institute according to our clandestine findings is the manner of the appointment of the current Administrator/Chief Executive Officer CEO), Mrs Imeh Patience Okon who was appointed through a letter dated August 21, 2025 and purportedly signed by the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
“This is a departure from the practice. The Establishment Bill in Section 8 provides that the Administrator/CEO shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. By implication, it is the Head of Civil Service of the Federation that conveys the appointments.
“For example, Dr. Abdul-Ganiyu Obatayinbo, mni the immediate past administrator received his letter of appointment and renewal of the appointment from the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. We are in possession of a copy of a later dated July 14, 2022 which renewed his appointment for a period of 5 years and signed by Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
“Strangely, before the expiration of the 5 years tenure granted to him, another letter appointing Imeh Patience Okon came from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. This is contrary to Section 8 (b) and (c) of the Establishment Bill”
EUYI also questioned the academic credentials and experience of the current Administrator/CEO, insisting that she’s not qualified to serve in that capacity and should be stacked forthwith to pave way for the reinstatement of Dr. Abdul-Ganiyu Obatayinbo.
“Mrs. Okon does not possess a Ph.D and the requisite 20 years public service experience required to be qualified for the post of Administrator/CEO of PSIN. Past Administrators were appointed with the requisite qualifications. Her appointment is not only shoddy but irregular.
“She was controversially appointed in August 21, 2025. In anticipation of her appointment, a letter from the Permanent Secretary, Career Management, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and signed by one Elisha Benjamin D. (Director for Learning and Development) gave approval for a “Benchmarking and Study Visit” to the United Kingdom to be led by the then Administrator, Dr. Obatoyinbo.
“The originating application for this referenced approval was made on June 25, 2025 but did not receive any approval till the initial period scheduled for it elapsed but with the arrival of Mrs. Okon a new date was fixed by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation for the benchmarking and study visit in the United Kingdom. This is even as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is yet to lift the ban on oversea trips without approval. This was indeed a plot to illegally oust Dr. Abdul-Ganiyu Obatayinbo.
“It is also alleged that Mrs. Okon is plotting to take over the 3 hotels and 100 flats of the Institute in the name of renovation. This is to outsource the facilities to placeholders for Mrs Didi who is Head of Civil Service of the Federation and Ms. Okon’s benefactor. This brazen display of corruption must not be allowed to thrive under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Since assumption of office, Imeh Okon has shown ineptitude, inefficiency and ineffectiveness. She is unfit for the post. This assertion is deduced from her non-existent performance, coupled with her total neglect of the core objectives and mandate of the institute in pursuit of the interests for which the Head of Civil Service of the Federation packaged her and sent to PSIN”, the release noted.
While threatening to use all legal means within its reach including mass actions to correct this injustice, EUYI also called for urgent intervention by the Presidency, the National Assembly, and anti-corruption agencies, warning that failure to act could further damage the Institute’s reputation as a leading public service training center in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
