FIIRO: Igwe Out, New Acting DG Appointed

The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos (FIIRO), has a new Director General, Agnes Asagbra, an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, with a doctorate degree in Food and Industrial Microbiology.

Ms. Agnes is a successor of Chima Igwe, who was embroiled in a scandal involving his inability to present proof of his PhD as asserted by Chima, who had said that he had graduated from Universite d’Abomey-Calavi in Benin Republic with a PhD.

According to a memo issued by the institute, Ms. Agnes is to resume duties as the acting Director General with immediate effect, with her duties involving oversight of the operations of the institute.

She will serve as the acting DG until a substantive DG is nominated.

Following the scandal trailing Chima's claim of a PhD, a petition was issued by the institute, leading to an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into the matter.

It was only ascertained two days ago that the former acting DG did not receive a PhD degree as he had submitted.

ICPC's spokeswoman, Rasheedat Okoduwa, said that Igwe did attend the university he alleged to have been a student of and had completed his three-year course but had not defended his thesis at the university. This was made known by the university in a letter sent to the Nigerian Mission in Benin.

According to Ms. Rasheedat, 

“It stands to reason, therefore, that if the PhD programme was concluded there would have been no need for Igwe to request re-registration.

“The Commission is firmly of the opinion that he cannot be said to have been awarded a PhD since he is yet to complete the process of defence of his thesis 18 years after he is said to have finished the course work.

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“By global standards, the successful defence of a thesis is a compulsory condition for the award of a PhD.

“Therefore, in line with its avowed commitment to discharging its duties with professionalism and responsibility, the Commission has since communicated its most recent findings and position to the relevant authorities for necessary action.”