The National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has shut down operations at MDV Sacks Ltd, a subsidiary of the Bhojsons Group, over alleged exploitation, inhumane treatment, and racial discrimination against over 300 Nigerian workers.

The company, located within the Lafarge Cement premises in Ewekoro, Ogun State, is accused of compelling its factory workers to pay N18,000 for protective boots while refusing to provide basic employment rights, including allowances, annual leave, and formal employment letters.

The union also alleged that MDV Sacks Ltd actively suppresses workers’ rights to unionize, a clear violation of Nigeria’s labour laws.

On Monday, members of the Textile Union, backed by other NLC-affiliated unions, stormed the factory in a protest that disrupted activities at the facility. The demonstrators, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with messages like “Injury to one is injury to all” and “MDV Lafarge management, stop harassment and intimidation of workers”, called on all employees to vacate the premises until their grievances are addressed.

While the majority of workers complied and walked out in support of the union, a handful reportedly remained on duty.

Deputy General Secretary of NUTGTWN, Comrade Emeka Nkwoala, who addressed journalists during the protest, expressed deep concern over the company’s failure to honour commitments reached during a mediation meeting held on May 7, 2025.

“At the meeting, it was agreed that union activities would be allowed to commence without obstruction and that workers would be given formal employment letters,” Nkwoala said.

“Unfortunately, the management of MDV Sacks Ltd has gone back on its word. Some of our members have been unjustly laid off, while others are subjected to degrading and exploitative working conditions. There are clear rules of engagement under Nigerian law, and we will not allow modern-day slavery to persist under any guise.”

Nkwoala further accused the company of fostering a culture of racial discrimination, alleging that Nigerian workers are treated unfairly in comparison to their expatriate counterparts.

He described the demonstration as peaceful and orderly, adding that the Ogun State Ministry of Labour has now stepped in to mediate. According to him, the Ministry has directed that the status quo be maintained, with sacked workers recalled and all outstanding entitlements paid.

The union has vowed to continue its advocacy until the affected workers receive justice and the company is held accountable for its actions.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned the public against the antics and activities of fraudsters, claiming to act on behalf of the apex bank through bogus claims or the award of fictitious contracts.

The CBN acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Sidi Ali Hakama, gave the warning in an advisory issued by the bank.

She said the attention of the CBN has been drawn to the activities of individuals and groups falsely claiming to represent or act on behalf of the apex bank, by circulating fictitious offers of contracts, loans, grants, intervention funds, and other financial benefits allegedly issued or endorsed by the CBN.

The CBN spokesperson expressed concern that despite the public advisory issued on November 18, 2024, through the bank’s official channels and news outlets, these misleading schemes have persisted, targeting unsuspecting members of the public with false and deceptive narratives.

Accordingly, the CBN reiterated that it has not authorised, licensed, or appointed any individual, group or organisation to act as an agent or intermediary in offering contracts, financial grants, or intervention funds to the public.

“The CBN also does not endorse or support such claims in any form.

“Members of the public are advised that the CBN does not award contracts or disburse funds through unsolicited communications such as e-mails, phone calls, SMS, WhatsApp, or any social media platform.

“It also does not request payment of fees in exchange for contracts, grants, or financial interventions, nor does it engage intermediaries or third parties to offer financial services or opportunities to the public.

“If you are approached by individuals or entities making such claims, we strongly advise that you do not engage with them.

“Instead, such incidents should be reported immediately to the relevant law enforcement agencies or the nearest CBN Branch,” the advisory stated.

The apex bank added that it remains committed to safeguarding the financial interests of the Nigerian public and will continue to work closely with security agencies to investigate and address fraudulent activities.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has threatened to cut financial support to beneficiary tertiary institutions that fail to meet performance benchmarks or mismanage allocated funds.

The agency said it would de-list such tertiary institutions from its support programmes.

Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Sonny Echono gave the warning at a one-day strategic engagement with heads of institutions, bursars, and heads of procurement of the agency’s beneficiary institutions in Abuja on Monday.

Echono said the policy was not meant to punish, but rather safeguard the credibility and impact of TETFUND interventions.

He said: “Let me be clear, institutions that consistently fail to access, utilise or retire funds appropriately, or that fall short of enrollment and academic performance thresholds, risk being delisted as TETFUND beneficiary institutions.”

He also disclosed the intention of TETFUND to ensure that its resources were directed towards institutions that were committed to high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability.

Echono said the strategic engagement was targeted at addressing recurring challenges in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, improving project execution, and enhancing the quality of education.

A key focus, he said, was the Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D) intervention.

He said due to rising costs and incidents of scholars absconding, the foreign component of the TETFUND Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) was suspended as of January 1, 2025 with emphasis now shifted to cost-effective, locally driven training.

Echono said this year’s intervention budget prioritises consolidation, sustainability, and the completion of abandoned projects.

He added: “This engagement is not merely a meeting but a strategic convergence. It is designed to address recurring issues of concern, streamline project implementation, and enhance the overall quality of tertiary education delivery in our nation.

“As we move forward, let us approach today’s discussions with openness, collaboration, and a shared vision to elevate our institutions and the students we serve.

“Together, we can strengthen accountability, drive innovation, and ensure that the legacy of TETFUND remains impactful, equitable and enduring for generations to come.”

Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Ribadu emphasised the importance of the meeting for evaluating the implementation and impact of TETFUND – supported projects in higher education institutions.

The NUC chief, who was represented by Dr. Joshua Atah appreciated TETFUND’s vital role in improving infrastructure, research, staff development, and academic quality, stating that without its support, public education would struggle to survive.

Prof. Ribadu acknowledged the adaptability of TETFUND’s policies, such as suspending international scholarships to reallocate resources more effectively.

He urged tertiary institutions to be more responsive and ensure that interventions were relevant and efficiently executed.

Ribadu encouraged judicious and timely use of funds and called for open and constructive dialogue during the engagement.

“This calls for greater responsiveness also on the part of the institutions. This responsiveness also includes the areas of the design and implementation of these interventions to ensure that they remain relevant, impactful, and aligned with the future of education in Nigeria.

“It’s also important that we judiciously utilise these resources, and not just judicious utilisation but also in a timely manner so that we don’t lose the fund,” he said.