Presidency Mum Over Reinstatement Of NDE DG

The Presidency has yet to publicly confirm or deny the alleged reinstatement of a former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Silas Agara, as the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).     

There has been a growing disquiet following the return of Agara, who resigned his appointment in April to contest senatorial primaries ahead of the forthcoming elections. However, sources close to Agara said he had been reinstated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Daily Trust reports that President Tinubu appointed Agara on July 13, 2024, to replace Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, who was at the helm of the agency for more than 3 years.

But Agara resigned his appointment in April 2026 to contest the Nasarawa North Senatorial ticket under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former DG had resigned from his position in compliance with President Tinubu’s directive requiring political appointees seeking elective offices to step down before contesting party primaries.

A statement issued by the agency on April 10 to announce Agara’s resignation explained that the formal announcement became imperative to put to rest speculations regarding his official exit from the agency.

Agara handed over to the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (PR&S), Edmund Onwuliri, who took charge in an acting capacity and carried out some tasks while Agara was away.

“Former Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Silas Ali Agara, has officially stepped down from his position as he prepares to contest a senatorial seat in the forthcoming elections.

“His resignation comes amid earlier speculations suggesting he had not formally relinquished office, a claim now laid to rest with his official exit from the agency.

“Following his departure, Agara formally handed over the leadership of the Directorate to the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (PR&S), Edmund Onwuliri, who has now assumed duty as the Acting Director-General of the NDE.

“The management and staff of the agency commend Agara for his commitment, leadership, and contributions to strengthening the mandate of the NDE during his tenure. We also extended best wishes to him as he embarks on his political journey ahead of the upcoming senatorial race,” the statement read,

Agara’s return

However, no official statement was released by the Presidency announcing the return or reappointment of Agara the way President Tinubu announced his appointment in 2024 through his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

But the agency, on its official page, confirmed that Agara resumed office on Monday, July 13.

“His Excellency Silas Ali Agara today, Monday, 13 July 2026, officially resumed duty as the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

“On his arrival at the NDE Headquarters in Abuja, the DG NDE was warmly received by the immediate-past Acting Director-General, Mr. Edmund Onwuliri, alongside Directors and members of staff of the Directorate.

“The occasion marked the formal return of H.E. Silas Ali Agara to the leadership of the Directorate, as Management and staff welcomed him back and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting his vision in advancing the NDE’s mandate of employment creation, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, and poverty reduction across Nigeria,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, his return to the NDE triggered questions on the legality, with critics demanding clarification on whether the President formally reappointed him after his resignation.

There are questions on whether a statutory appointment, once resigned, can be reclaimed without a fresh presidential announcement.

Efforts to get comments from both the Presidency and the NDE proved abortive. Several phone calls to the spokesman of the agency, Emeka Okeke, were neither picked up nor returned. He also did not respond to both text and WhatsApp messages sent to him.

In the same vein, text and WhatsApp messages sent to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, were also not responded to. Calls to Agara’s known mobile line also rang out.

However, sources close to Agara said he had been reinstated by the President.

“President Tinubu has actually reinstated him. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation gave him a letter of reinstatement and there is another one from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour directing him to return to his duty post,” one of the sources said. (Daily trust)