In the wake of a peaceful two-day protest by staff of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Federal Commissioner, Hon. Aliyu Ahmed, has held a conciliatory meeting with union leaders, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to prioritizing staff welfare.
The meeting, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, was aimed at addressing lingering welfare concerns raised by staff who had demanded urgent reforms to improve working conditions and morale.
Hon. Ahmed, while acknowledging the protest, commended staff for maintaining civility and order throughout the demonstration. He assured the union that management remained open to dialogue and would treat their concerns with urgency and fairness.
“We understand your frustrations, and I want you to know that staff welfare has always been central to our operations,” the Commissioner said. “We’ve taken initiatives in the past to improve conditions even without external pressure, and we remain committed to doing more.”
Union leaders at the meeting emphasized the need for immediate action to rebuild trust and enhance service delivery, especially given the Commission’s role in supporting vulnerable populations across Nigeria.
In response, Hon. Ahmed pledged to escalate unresolved issues to relevant departments and ensure periodic engagement with staff representatives to track progress.
“This meeting signals a renewed commitment to transparency, dialogue, and collective problem-solving,” said one union leader. “We’re hopeful that the concerns raised will now receive the attention they deserve.”
The NCFRMI, tasked with coordinating humanitarian assistance for refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons, has faced growing internal pressure as workers call for better resources and support to fulfill their demanding responsibilities.
Wednesday’s meeting is expected to pave the way for a more responsive and collaborative relationship between the Commission’s leadership and its workforce.