NIMR defends directors’ exit as rule-driven, says union strike ‘misplaced’

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has defended the retirement of four of its directors, saying the move was in line with a federal government directive and existing public service rules, amid rising tensions with unionised researchers.

The institute’s clarification comes after members of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) at NIMR went on strike and threatened to picket the institute over the retirements and related concerns.

NIMR said the retirements followed an eight-year tenure policy for directors across government agencies, as mandated by the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Bitrus Nelson, NIMR’s director of administration, described the development as strictly an administrative matter, adding that management was only implementing instructions from supervising authorities.

“Any grievance arising from the directives should be referred to the issuing authorities. Industrial action against the institute on account of compliance with lawful directives is therefore misdirected,” he said.

The dispute highlights growing friction between management and research staff in Nigeria’s public research institutions, where enforcement of tenure limits and administrative reforms has increasingly triggered resistance from unions.

A circular issued on February 10, 2026, seen by BusinessDay, reaffirmed Rule 020909 of the Public Service Rules (2021), which mandates that directors retire after eight years in office. The directive warned that non-compliance could attract sanctions.

NIMR said one of the affected directors had already complied and begun refunding salaries received after the official retirement date, in line with government requirements.

The institute also rejected claims by ASURI that staff were being evicted from official quarters, calling the allegation absolutely false and stating that no such directive had been issued.

Management further denied accusations that it had introduced bureaucratic hurdles for researchers seeking grants. It said grant applications are processed through an internal unit to ensure transparency and accountability, in line with global best practices.

“Management has never stopped researchers from communicating directly with funders,” the institute said, noting that only processes requiring institutional endorsement must pass through official channels.

On governance concerns, NIMR said researchers remain actively involved in decision-making, pointing out that a Deputy Director-General and several directors are drawn from the research cadre and serve on key committees.

Despite the dispute, the institute said its operations remain unaffected. Laboratories, including tuberculosis and virology units, as well as its biobank and clinic services, are functioning normally.

The management accused the union of attempting to tarnish the image of the Director-General, reiterating its commitment to enforcing discipline and adherence to public service rules.

The standoff underscores a broader challenge for Nigeria’s research ecosystem, where efforts to enforce accountability and standardise governance often collide with longstanding institutional practices and labour sensitivities.