Document Shows How Minister Flouted Buhari's Directive, Promoted Indicted Nigerian Agency, FIIRO Director Using Fake PhD Certificate

SaharaReporters has obtained a document showing that President Muhammadu Buhari did not approve the promotion of Chima Igwe, a former acting Director of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Lagos State to the position of Substantive Director-General of FIIRO.
Igwe, who is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for forging his certificate was recently promoted to the position of a director by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu against the orders of the President.

The Minister, in a memo, signed by the acting Director, Human Resources Management and Administration, C.A. Ibe, and dated March 21, 2022, ordered Igwe’s return to the position of director in the institute.
This is despite the fact that Igwe is being tried at an Ikeja High Court over the matter following orders from the Presidency.
Igwe was caught in a web of dirty scams after submitting a Doctor of Philosophy certificate that was later discovered to be fake.
The doctorate that he claimed he completed at the Universite D’Abomey Calavi, Benin Republic, in 2001, was non-existent.
Meanwhile, in a memo dated September 7, 2021, and signed by Ibrahim Dikko Adamu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Administration & Operations), Buhari had ordered the Governing Board of FIIRO to immediately commence the process of the appointment of a substantive Director-General having noted that Igwe was not qualified for the position.
Also, the President warned that the HMST should allow the Governing Board of FIIRO to operate freely in its selection.
Buhari, according to the memo, also declined a request from the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation that Dr. Chima Cartney Igwe should be appointed as the substantive Director-General of FIIRO, Oshodi.
The President further ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to prosecute Igwe, for forging his certificate.

The memo, obtained by SaharaReporters reads, “With reference to your letter HMST/FMST/10/2021/X/1890 dated 30th June 2021, I write to convey Mr President’s instruction.
”Accordingly, Mr President has noted the following findings and recommendations of the Investigative Committee set up by the office of the Head of Service of the Federation:
“Based on his current rank as Chief Researcher Officer, Dr Chima Cartney Igwe is not qualified and should not be considered for the position of the Substantive Director General of FIIRO.
“The governing board should henceforth ensure that due diligence is followed in the process of verification and authentication of certificates for the purpose of appointment and promotion of its officers.
“The Governing Board of FIIRO should immediately commence the process of the appointment of a substantive Director General in accordance with section 2.1.3.3 (a) and (d) of the Condition of Service for Federal Research and Development Agencies, Institutes and Colleges (Revised 2019), and in line with Mr. President’s directives, and:
“The HMST should be advised to allow the Governing Board of FIIRO to operate freely within the ambit of the visions of the provisions of extant regulations guiding the relationship between the Ministry and parastatals, and handle the staff matters in line with the provisions of the Conditions of Service of FIIRO.
“Consequently, Mr. President has declined approval to the prayers of the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation in the appointment of Dr. Chima Cartney Igwe as the substantive Director-General of FIIRO, Oshodi, Lagos State
“Directed the Governing Board of FIIRO to commence the process of the appointment of a substantive Director General in accordance with Section 2.1.3.3 (a) and (d) of the Conditions of Service for Federal Research and Development Agencies, Institutes and Colleges (Revised 2019).
“Directed the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and lnnovation to allow the Governing Board of FIIRO to operate freely within the ambit of the provision of extant regulations guiding the relationship between the Ministry and parastatals; and
“Directed the ICPC to commence prosecution of Mr Chima Cartney Igwe for Giving False Information to his Employer.”

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Original Author

SaharaReporters, New York