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Reps Committee Moves NNRA Promotion Dispute to ADR, Adjourns Hearing to March 11, 2026

Published

8 months ago

January 29, 2026

Cyril Ogar

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has adjourned proceedings on a petition bordering on alleged promotion stagnation, victimisation and disciplinary actions within the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), directing both parties to explore Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

The matter was adjourned to 11th March, 2026.The hearing, held on Thursday, was presided over by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Dr. Attorney Nwogu, and followed a petition filed by Abdulhadi Attah Abdullahi, a Deputy General Manager (Legal) with the National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research (NIRPR) and Technical Service Organisation (TSO) to the NNRA.

Listed as Petition No. 732 of 2025, the petition seeks the intervention of the House over the outcome of the 2020 NNRA Committee on Regularisation of Appointment and Staff Audit, prolonged promotion stagnation, alleged denial of salaries and allowances, harassment, and what the petitioner described as a sustained pattern of victimisation and witch-hunt.

In a letter dated 19th January, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the Committee through the Clerk, Dr. Amos Enobong, Abdullahi alleged that disciplinary actions were initiated against him by NNRA management shortly after he appeared before the committee at an earlier public hearing on 9th December, 2025.

He claimed that the disciplinary measures included the issuance of a query on 5th January, 2026, his response on 6th January, a warning letter dated 8th January, and the immediate constitution of a disciplinary panel on the same day.

According to him, the actions were retaliatory, aimed at intimidating him and undermining the constitutional oversight functions of the National Assembly, while also pre-empting the outcome of the committee’s intervention.

At the hearing, deliberations centred largely on the controversy surrounding his Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER), which Abdullahi maintained was duly submitted in his promotion year but was allegedly withheld or left unassessed by the appropriate authorities.

He told the committee that the APER was in the custody of the National Nuclear Inspectorate (NNI) and later the Office of the Director-General, adding that documentary evidence and email correspondences confirming receipt had already been submitted to the committee.

He further argued that he could not reasonably be expected to seek assessment from a former supervisor who had since retired, stressing that responsibility for the assessment lay with the directorate supervising his unit at the relevant time.

However, representatives of the NNRA and affiliated agencies, including senior management staff appearing on behalf of the Director-General who was said to be absent on health grounds, disputed aspects of the claims.
They maintained that administrative procedures required proper supervisory assessment of APERs and argued that gaps existed in the evaluation process, describing the situation as an administrative “lacuna” rather than deliberate victimisation.
Committee members, however, observed that there was no outright denial that the APER was submitted, but rather a dispute over who bore responsibility for its assessment and sign-off.In his intervention, Hon. Nwogu urged both parties to adopt a pragmatic approach,
stressing that governance must remain continuous and that workers should not suffer career stagnation due to procedural gaps beyond their control, especially where supervisors had retired or administrative structures had changed.

He said the committee’s objective was not to leave any party completely dissatisfied, but to find a fair and balanced resolution that would promote justice, institutional stability and administrative harmony.
Following deliberations, the committee proposed Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as the most viable pathway to resolving the dispute, a recommendation that received the consent of both parties.

Consequently, the committee formally adjourned the matter to 11th March, 2026, to allow the parties explore ADR mechanisms towards an amicable settlement.

The committee also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the constitutional right of citizens and public officers to petition the National Assembly without fear of intimidation, reprisals or administrative sanctions.

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Nigeria at 66: ‘We Must Not Lose Faith in Nigeria’ — FCC Boss Omidiran

Published

21 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary to renew their faith in Nigeria, strengthen national unity and recommit themselves to building a more inclusive and prosperous country.

In her 66th Independence Day message, Hon. Omidiran described October 1 as more than a celebration of freedom, saying the anniversary provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey, acknowledge its progress and challenges, and renew the collective determination to build a nation where every citizen has a sense of belonging.

According to the FCC Executive Chairman, the Federal Character Principle remains particularly important to the quest for national cohesion because equitable representation promotes a sense of ownership and confidence in the Nigerian project.

“Nigeria is a nation of great diversity and
enormous potential. Our responsibility is to ensure that this diversity becomes a bridge that connects us rather than a barrier that separates us. Every Nigerian deserves to feel that he or she belongs to this country and has a role to play in its development,” Omidiran said.

The FCC boss called on government institutions at all levels to remain committed to fairness, equity, accountability and inclusive governance, while urging citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening national institutions and promoting peaceful coexistence.

“We must not lose faith in Nigeria. The challenges before us are real, but so are the opportunities and the enormous human and natural resources available to us. Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute his or her own quota to building the Nigeria we desire,” she stated.

The FCC Executive Chairman also urged young Nigerians to remain committed to acquiring knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and other productive ventures, describing the youth as critical stakeholders in the country’s future.

“As we celebrate 66 years of independence, let us remember that the Nigeria we want cannot be built by government alone. It requires the commitment of all of us – leaders and citizens, young and old, from every part of the federation. Together, we can build a Nigeria where justice, fairness, opportunity and peace are available to all,” she said.

Omidiran reaffirmed the FCC’s commitment to the effective discharge of its constitutional mandate and to supporting efforts that promote equitable representation and inclusive national development across the federation.

The former lawmaker wished Nigerians at home and abroad a peaceful and memorable 66th Independence Anniversary, praying for continued peace, stability, prosperity and progress for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Our differences should never be greater than our common identity as Nigerians. Let us continue to choose unity over division, service over self-interest and hope over despair. The Nigeria of our dreams is possible if we all play our part,” Omidiran said.

“On behalf of the Federal Character Commission, I congratulate all Nigerians on this 66th Independence Anniversary. May this occasion renew our patriotism, strengthen our unity and inspire us to work together for a stronger, more equitable and prosperous Nigeria. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she added.

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