Institute Clears 17-Month Promotion Backlog, Revives Critical Assets

The Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) has cleared a backlog of staff promotions that had remained outstanding for about one year and five months.

It also restored vehicles and office equipment that were grounded for years.

The developments formed part of the administrative and operational reforms introduced by the acting registrar/chief executive officer of the institute, Akwaowo Idongesit Reuben, within his first 100 days in office.

In a statement signed by Emonkhamhen Emmanuel, the institute said the 2025 staff promotion exercise had been concluded, with the affected workers’ new grade levels uploaded onto the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

He said the administration had also commenced the payment of outstanding transfer entitlements to staff members transferred between 2019 and 2023.

It said the measures were part of efforts to address administrative gaps, improve staff welfare and strengthen the institute’s capacity to discharge its regulatory responsibilities.

“Existing departments have been resuscitated while additional departments have been created to improve efficiency and facilitate the effective discharge of the Institute’s mandate,” the statement said.

It added that heads of departments had been appointed based on professional competence and relevant expertise, while a new management team had been constituted to support the Acting Registrar/CEO in implementing the institute’s programmes.

The administration has also turned attention to ICCON’s operational assets, with the institute reporting the repair and return to service of its Peugeot Expert and Nissan Urvan buses, which it said had remained grounded for years.

Similarly, computers, photocopiers and printers in the Human Resources Department at the institute’s headquarters were repaired and restored for use.

The institute said the measures were aimed at improving operational efficiency and ensuring that its personnel had the facilities required to carry out their responsibilities.

Beyond its internal operations, ICCON said it was expanding its regulatory reach, particularly in the South-South region.

According to the statement, the institute had secured office space at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for a zonal office, while efforts were ongoing to secure another office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The expansion, it said, would improve access to ICCON’s regulatory services for chemists, chemical practitioners and other stakeholders in the region.

The institute has also stepped up engagement with government institutions, including relevant committees of the National Assembly.

It said the Acting Registrar/CEO had intensified interactions with the Senate Committee on Public Accounts and the House of Representatives Committee on Procurement, among others, to strengthen institutional relationships and improve understanding of ICCON’s statutory mandate.

The development comes as the institute seeks to strengthen its role in chemical regulation and safety, with particular attention to the End-User Certificate (EUC) regime.

ICCON said it had been working with the Office of the National Security Adviser to facilitate the issuance of EUCs and was compiling a comprehensive list of registered corporate members and their technical officers to assist with verification.

The Acting Registrar/CEO said chemical security required serious attention, stressing the need for key personnel in the chemical industry to be properly documented and held accountable.

The institute also disclosed that it participated officially, for the first time, in the review of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regulations on chemicals and chemical products.

According to ICCON, the participation was intended to contribute to a stronger regulatory framework for chemical safety in Nigeria.

In another move to improve engagement with industry, Reuben and his team visited Zirconex Mining and Metal Laboratory Ltd, where discussions centred on regulatory compliance, professional standards and the application of chemistry in mining, laboratory analysis, environmental protection and public safety.

Meanwhile, ICCON said it was revamping its website to improve public access to information about the institute.

It said a consultant had been engaged to manage content and identify and resolve broken links and inactive pages on the platform.

The institute is also preparing for its 21st Mandatory Continuing Professional Development programme scheduled for November 2026.

It said the programme would provide a platform for strengthening the professional competence of registered chemists and promoting continuous learning.

ICCON said the reforms were ultimately aimed at strengthening its capacity as Nigeria’s statutory regulatory body for the teaching and practice of chemistry, particularly in the areas of professional standards, chemical management and public safety.