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Abuja Gridlock: Questions Raised Over Alleged Defiance of FG Directives by NNRA DG

Published

3 months ago

July 8, 2026

By Cyril Bassey

Fresh questions are being raised over the leadership of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) following allegations that its Director-General, Dr. Yau Usman Idris, repeatedly failed to implement directives issued by the Federal Government, a situation critics say has created an administrative stalemate within the agency.

At the centre of the controversy is Barr. Abdulhadi Attah Abdullahi, a pioneer staff member of the NNRA, Fellow of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Legal Affairs, and widely regarded as Nigeria’s and Africa’s first certified nuclear lawyer. He is also said to be the agency’s most senior officer after the Director-General.

According to documents and stakeholders familiar with the matter, the dispute dates back to 2020 when Barr. Abdullahi and three other senior officers were reportedly barred from participating in the Director-grade promotion examination despite approved vacancies and budgetary provisions made by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The development triggered protests by NNRA staff unions, leading to the establishment of a joint committee in 2021 comprising representatives of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNRA management and the agency’s unions.

The committee reportedly concluded its work in 2022 and recommended that the affected officers be promoted. However, stakeholders allege that the recommendations were never implemented by the NNRA management.

The issue resurfaced in 2024 when the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources reportedly issued another directive instructing the NNRA to establish, among other units, a Department of International Cooperation and Legal Services. According to the directive, the department was expected to address the career progression of the agency’s senior legal officer, who was said to be the only qualified officer for the position.

However, sources claim the directive was not implemented.

Despite the absence of a legal department, Barr. Abdullahi was reportedly qualified to compete for other Director-level positions based on his extensive experience across the agency’s technical departments. Critics, however, allege that he was overlooked while another officer, a pharmacy graduate, was appointed to head the Department of Authorization and Enforcement after allegedly receiving accelerated promotions that skipped the Deputy General Manager rank.

They also pointed to the Nuclear Security Centre, which is expected to be headed by a Director but is reportedly being coordinated by an Assistant General Manager. Stakeholders argue that the situation has resulted in all serving Directors being junior to Barr. Abdullahi, whose last promotion was reportedly in 2016.

The controversy intensified during the 2026 promotion exercise, which coincided with Barr. Abdullahi’s mandatory retirement year. It is alleged that he was prevented from entering the promotion examination venue by security personnel.

Following the incident, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources reportedly issued another memo in April 2026 directing the NNRA Director-General to promote the officer within two weeks. Stakeholders, however, claim the directive was again ignored.

The allegations suggest that between 2020 and 2026, the affected officer and others were denied opportunities for career progression despite repeated interventions by relevant government authorities.

Observers argue that if the allegations are substantiated, they could amount to violations of Chapter 10 of the Federal Government Public Service Rules (2021), which classifies failure to obey lawful directives from superior authorities as serious misconduct.

Sources also claim that petitions detailing the dispute have been submitted to the Presidency since 2021, but no decisive action has been taken, prompting concerns over the enforcement of government directives and accountability within federal agencies.

Stakeholders are therefore urging the Presidency and the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil) to intervene by enforcing the April 2026 directive before Barr. Abdullahi’s retirement takes effect. They argue that resolving the matter would reinforce confidence in the civil service promotion process and the government’s commitment to the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has concluded hearings on the dispute between Barr. Abdulhadi Attah Abdullahi and the NNRA management. Following the reported failure of the NNRA management to appear before the committee, lawmakers are expected to issue a final report containing their findings and recommendations, which stakeholders believe could determine the next course of action in the protracted dispute.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

19 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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