By Sola Ogundipe

The management of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Lagos, has clarified the recent retirement of four of its directors, stating that the action was in compliance with a Federal Government directive and in line with the public service rules.

Reacting to the ongoing strike and planned picketing by the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), the Institute’s Director of Administration, Mr Bitrus Nelson, described the retirement exercise as strictly an administrative matter, noting that management merely implemented the Federal Government’s eight-year tenure policy for directors in government agencies.

In a statement, he said the directive followed communications from the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Institute’s supervising ministry.

“As previously stated in our response to ASURI, NIMR branch, management is only implementing the government’s directive. Directing any opposition to the implementation of these circulars to the Institute’s management is misplaced. Any grievance arising from the directives should be referred to the issuing authorities.

“The Institute is duty-bound to comply with government instructions until otherwise directed. Any industrial action against the Institute on account of compliance with lawful directives is therefore misdirected,” the statement noted.

The Institute noted that one of the affected directors had fully complied with the retirement directive and had commenced the process of refunding emoluments received after the effective date of disengagement, as required by the government.

NIMR also dismissed allegations by the union that affected staff were being evicted from official quarters.

“The claim that there is any plan to evict staff from official quarters is absolutely false,” the statement said, adding that no such directive had been issued by management.

A circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on February 10, 2026, reaffirmed the implementation of the eight-year tenure policy for directors across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, in line with Rule 020909 of the Public Service Rules (2021 edition). The circular warned that non-compliance could attract administrative sanctions. Under the rule, a director or its equivalent is required to retire after serving eight years on the post.

Meanwhile, the Institute said it would refrain from engaging in unnecessary media exchanges, accusing ASURI of making comments aimed at tarnishing the image of the Director-General and ridiculing management.

“The Director-General remains committed to ending the culture of indiscipline, impunity, arbitrariness, and has only urged staff—both researchers and non-researchers—to abide by the public service rules guiding their operations. Of course, management will implement any exemption to the rules for any cadre of staff, provided such exemptions are backed by appropriate government directives and approvals,” the statement added.

The Institute also denied claims that researchers must seek the Director-General’s approval before applying for grants, stating that no unnecessary administrative barriers had been introduced.

“Researchers are required to process grant applications and related activities through the Institute’s Grants Unit, which serves as the established coordination channel rather than an additional administrative layer. The procedure is designed to ensure accountability, transparency and proper institutional oversight. However, management has observed instances where this process is bypassed and has reiterated the need for strict adherence to the approved channels.

“Management has never stopped researchers from communicating directly with funders on the day-to-day management of grants and collaborative activities. However, for processes requiring institutional endorsement, funders are expected to liaise directly with the Institute to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with international best practices.

“On concerns regarding working hours, while management recognises the need for flexibility, such arrangements must operate within the framework of the Public Service Rules. However, no researcher has ever been penalised in this regard.

“Management has not excluded researchers from governance of the Institute. The in-house Deputy Director-General is a researcher, while other researcher-directors play active roles in leading research centres and serving on key committees.

“The Institute operates several statutory and administrative committees that support governance and operational decision-making. Many of these committees are chaired by ASURI members, who are empowered to convene meetings and make recommendations to management. These committees are actively involved in decisions on many of the issues currently being raised,” the statement said.