The Middle Belt Ethnic Youth Leaders Assembly (MBEYLA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately remove the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, over what it described as “reckless, insulting and stigmatising” comments against the Berom people.
The demand was contained in a statement issued by Amb. Miri Timnan Nyantau, popularly known as M.T.N, the President General of the Middle Belt Ethnic Youth Leaders Assembly (MBEYLA), and made available to Trill Times News.
According to the statement, Prof. Omotayo made the remarks during an interview on ARISE TV, where he allegedly referred to the Berom people as a “militia” following the second attack on the institute by bandits.
MBEYLA described the comments as “the highest height of insult,” arguing that Prof. Omotayo unfairly blamed a community that has repeatedly suffered unprovoked attacks.
According to the statement, “Instead of addressing the criminal activities of the bandits, he chose to conclude that the same Berom people who have consistently been victims of unprovoked attacks were responsible. To say the least, this is the highest height of insult.”
The assembly questioned the basis for the DG’s assertion, insisting that no credible evidence had been presented to justify such a serious allegation.
“How can the head of Nigeria’s highest policy institute make such a careless and damaging statement? On what evidence did he arrive at such a dangerous conclusion? Does he truly understand the weight of his office and the consequences of his words? How does a community that has suffered repeated attacks suddenly become the aggressor in his narrative?” the statement asked.
MBEYLA further maintained that the Berom people are the original owners of the land on which NIPSS was established, noting that they voluntarily donated the land and have protected the institution for decades.
“The Berom people are not strangers to NIPSS. They are the rightful owners of the land on which the institute stands. They willingly donated their ancestral land for the establishment of the institution and have protected it for decades. Is this the reward they deserve? Is this how a host community should be repaid? How can the same people who donated their land, welcomed the institute and have guarded it jealously now be branded as a militia without a shred of credible evidence?” the group stated.
The youth body argued that branding a people who have lost lives and property to repeated attacks as a militia amounted to stigmatising victims instead of showing empathy.
It added that the remarks had raised serious concerns about Prof. Omotayo’s judgment, neutrality and suitability to continue leading Nigeria’s foremost policy institute.
“Can someone who makes such divisive and unverified claims still be trusted to head Nigeria’s foremost policy institute? Can Nigerians have confidence in policy advice coming from a leadership that appears so biased? If the Director-General of NIPSS can so casually stigmatise an entire ethnic group without credible evidence, what confidence should Nigerians have in the quality and objectivity of the policies produced under his leadership?” the statement read.
MBEYLA therefore urged President Tinubu to immediately remove Prof. Omotayo as Director-General of NIPSS, arguing that his continued stay in office would further erode public confidence in the institution.
The group maintained that Nigeria deserves leaders who promote fairness, responsibility and national unity rather than making statements capable of deepening division and ethnic tension.
