News
Abuja Gridlock: Questions Raised Over Alleged Defiance of FG Directives by NNRA DG
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.
News
DNKI President Champions Humanitarian Service, Sustainable Community Development
Cyril Samania
The President of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, stressing the importance of supporting vulnerable people and improving community welfare beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day.
Ityohegh stated this during the organisation’s Cauldron Night and Award Presentation held to commemorate its 2026 Humanitarian Day celebration, theme: “Humanity First: Advancing Hope, Dignity and Community Well-being.” organised by the DNKI Abuja Chapter.
He emphasised that humanitarian service should be a continuous responsibility driven by compassion, solidarity and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.
According to him, DNKI’s humanitarian activities reflect its dedication to giving back to society and supporting people in need, while encouraging members to sustain initiatives that promote human dignity and community well-being.
He added that the organisation would continue to strengthen its humanitarian engagements through practical interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people and promoting community development.
Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Chapter Chairman and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Prince Efiong Okpe, said the organisation’s humanitarian activities extended beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day on October 15.
Okpe explained that DNKI undertook several initiatives throughout the year, including blood donation exercises, visits to hospitals and correctional centres, as well as support for orphanages and other vulnerable groups.
According to him, the organisation also collaborated with humanitarian bodies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to identify areas of need and provide assistance within its available resources.
He described Humanitarian Day as an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to service and demonstrate solidarity with people facing difficult circumstances.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Coordinator of the DNKI Gwagwalada Zone, Mr Etudaiye Hamzat, disclosed that the chapter had provided financial assistance to some members to help pay their children’s school fees, alongside distributing bags of rice and other relief items to members experiencing hardship.
Hamzat explained that the interventions followed concerns over the difficulties some members faced in meeting their family responsibilities, particularly the rising cost of their children’s education.
He maintained that supporting members in need was consistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles, adding that DNKI remained committed to extending assistance to non-members and vulnerable communities as part of its commitment to leading by example.
Looking ahead, Hamzat said the Abuja Chapter planned to expand its humanitarian outreach to remote communities within the FCT, with particular attention to orphanages, schools and widows facing difficulties in meeting their family responsibilities.
He also recalled previous interventions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which included the distribution of food, clothing and educational materials, noting that the chapter intended to scale up such initiatives in the coming year.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding members and distinguished non-members in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian service.
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