Operations at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos, have reportedly slowed down, sparking concerns about the institute’s ability to fulfill its mandate amid claims that its headquarters has been relocated to Abuja.
FIIRO, a key parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, is responsible for driving industrialisation and developing food processing technologies in Nigeria.
However, with the country facing a food security crisis and rising food prices, the institute’s inactivity is raising alarm.
According to the PUNCH, a visit to FIIRO’s Lagos facility on Thursday revealed that operations at key units, including the Research Laboratory, Cassava Processing Unit, and Fabrication Workshops, had come to a halt.
The visit, conducted between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., found no ongoing activities.
Sources claimed that the relocation of FIIRO’s headquarters to Abuja was carried out through a covert amendment to the institute’s establishment Act, allegedly signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari just days before leaving office.
The move, reportedly orchestrated by the former Minister of Science and Technology and FIIRO’s Board, has drawn concerns over the institute’s future operations.
A researcher at the institute, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that ongoing power supply issues were disrupting critical experiments, particularly those requiring long hours of electricity.
One client’s charcoal processing experiment had been delayed for over three months due to the inability to maintain consistent power.
While some parts of the institute are powered by solar energy, it is primarily used for charging small devices like laptops and phones and is insufficient for powering larger equipment. The lack of adequate power supply has raised concerns about the potential damage to valuable equipment due to prolonged inactivity.
In response to these claims, FIIRO’s Director-General, Dr. Jummai Tutuwa, refuted allegations that the headquarters had been moved to Abuja, she affirmed that the Lagos office remained fully operational and that efforts were being made to address the ongoing challenges.
“I just returned from Lagos three days ago after completing training for various sections. There is no truth to the claim that the Lagos office is not running or that the headquarters is in Abuja. If someone claims otherwise, they should provide evidence,” she said.
Dr. Tutuwa acknowledged the institute’s struggles with electricity supply and the high cost of electricity bills. She revealed that FIIRO had been issued a monthly electricity bill of N22 million, which far exceeded the institute’s overhead costs.
To manage the situation, the institute had resorted to purchasing diesel and installing solar power systems.
Despite these efforts, operational challenges persist, raising questions about FIIRO’s capacity to effectively support Nigeria’s industrial and food security needs during this critical period.
