The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has adjourned hearing on a petition bordering on alleged promotion stagnation, victimisation, and disciplinary actions within the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) to 11th March, 2026 for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
The meeting, held on Thursday, was presided over by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Dr. Attorney Nwogu, following 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.
The petition, listed as Petition No. 732 of 2025, seeks the intervention of the House Committee on Public Petitions over the outcome of the 2020 NNRA Committee on Regularisation of Appointment and Staff Audit, as well as 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, and addressed to the Chairman of the Committee through the Clerk, Dr. Amos Enobong, Abdullahi alleged that the NNRA management initiated disciplinary actions against him shortly after he appeared before the committee at an earlier public hearing on 9th December, 2025.
According to the petitioner, the disciplinary measures included the issuance of a query on 5th January, 2026, his response dated 6th January, a warning letter dated 8th January, and the immediate constitution of a disciplinary panel on the same day.
He argued that the actions were retaliatory and intended to undermine the constitutional oversight role of the National Assembly, as well as pre-empt the outcome of the committee’s proceedings.
At the hearing, extensive deliberations focused on the controversy surrounding the petitioner’s Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER), which he maintained was duly submitted during his promotion year but allegedly withheld or left unassessed by the appropriate authorities.
The petitioner insisted 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 correspondence 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 the responsibility for assessment rested 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 their Director-General who was reportedly absent due to ill health, disputed some aspects of the petitioner’s claims.
They contended that administrative procedures required proper supervisory assessment of APERs and that gaps existed in the evaluation process, which they described as a “lacuna” rather than deliberate victimisation.
However, committee members noted that there was no outright denial that the APER was submitted, but rather disagreement over who bore responsibility for its assessment and sign-off.
In response, Hon. Nwogu emphasised the need for a pragmatic resolution, urging both parties to avoid prolonged administrative disputes that could stall careers and institutional harmony.
He stated that governance must remain continuous and that employees should not be penalised for procedural gaps beyond their control, especially where supervisors had retired or administrative structures had changed.
The Deputy Chairman stressed that the committee was not seeking to leave any party completely dissatisfied but aimed for a fair middle ground that would resolve the matter equitably.
Following deliberations, the committee proposed Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as the most viable path to resolving the dispute, a suggestion that received concurrence from both parties.
Consequently, the committee formally adjourned the matter to 11th March, 2026, to allow parties explore ADR mechanisms with a view to amicable settlement.
The committee also reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the constitutional right of citizens and public officers to petition the National Assembly without fear of intimidation, reprisal, or administrative sanctions.
