The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has defended its implementation of the Federal Government’s eight-year tenure policy for directors, rejecting allegations that three former Research Directors were victimised.
The institute said the retirement of the affected directors followed directives from the Federal Government and was not a personal decision by its Director-General, John Oladapo Obafunwa.
In a statement issued by its management, NIMR said it had initially refrained from engaging in public exchanges over the matter but decided to respond following continued allegations by Theophilus Ndubuaku, national secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI).
According to the institute, directives on the tenure policy were communicated through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on February 10, 2026, and the Federal Ministry of Health on February 16, 2026.
NIMR said the affected officers were given copies of the relevant instructions and that, as a Federal Government research institution, it was required to implement applicable government directives.
“The policy was neither formulated by NIMR nor introduced as a personal decision of the Director-General,” the institute said.
The statement also addressed concerns over vacation notices issued to the former directors occupying institute accommodation.
NIMR said the notices were an administrative matter involving government property rather than an attempt to punish or victimise the affected officers.
According to the institute, its housing guidelines allow retiring staff occupying residential accommodation to remain for a maximum of three months with pay, after which the property is expected to be recovered.
The institute said the housing policy was amended in 2023, before the appointment of the current Director-General. It added that one of the directors subsequently affected by the tenure policy headed the committee responsible for the amendment.
NIMR said there was no dispute between its management and staff, adding that employees, including researchers, remained at work and the institute continued to carry out its research mandate.
However, the institute accused Ndubuaku of making what it described as false allegations and conducting a media campaign against its leadership.
It urged journalists and media organisations to verify claims surrounding the controversy with relevant government authorities, including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Health.
NIMR said it remained committed to implementing lawful government directives and enforcing its approved administrative procedures.
The institute said it would not be drawn into further public exchanges over the matter but would provide clarification through appropriate channels if necessary.
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