Newscenter Media News 
The House Committee on Public Petitions has adjourned the hearing on a petition concerning promotion-related administrative issues at the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, NNRA, to March 11, 2026.
The adjournment is aimed at allowing the parties to explore Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, as a means of reaching an amicable settlement.
According to NAN, the petition was filed by Mr. Abdulhadi Abdullahi, Deputy General Manager (Legal) at the National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research, NIRPR, a technical service organization under the NNRA.
The petition, numbered 732 of 2025, seeks the committee’s intervention regarding the outcome of the 2020 NNRA Committee on Regularisation of Appointment and Staff Audit, as well as issues of prolonged promotion stagnation.
It also raises concerns about salary matters, workplace treatment, and disciplinary procedures affecting the petitioner.
Deputy Chairman of the committee, Rep. Attorney Nwogu, stressed the importance of a practical resolution, urging both parties to avoid prolonged administrative disputes that could affect careers and institutional harmony.
He said, “Governance must be continuous and officers should not be adversely affected by procedural gaps beyond their control, particularly where supervising officers had retired or administrative structures had changed.”
He added, “The committee is committed to ensuring that no party is unduly disadvantaged and that a fair and equitable resolution is achieved.”
Following discussions, the committee recommended ADR as the most suitable method for resolving the dispute a proposal that the parties accepted.
Consequently, the matter was adjourned to March 11, 2026, to allow engagement in ADR mechanisms aimed at reaching an amicable settlement.
The committee also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens’ and public officers’ constitutional right to petition the National Assembly without fear of intimidation or administrative sanctions.
In his submission, Abdullahi stated that disciplinary actions had been initiated against him following his appearance at an earlier public hearing on December 9, 2025.
He explained that the measures included “a query issued on Jan. 5, 2026, my response dated Jan. 6, a warning letter dated Jan. 8, followed by the constitution of a disciplinary panel.”
The hearing also addressed concerns regarding Abdullahi’s Annual Performance Evaluation Report, APER.
He explained that he had submitted his APER during his promotion year, but the assessment process was never completed, noting that he had provided documentary evidence and email correspondence to the committee.
He highlighted that responsibility for the assessment rested with the supervising directorate at the relevant time, and his former supervisor had since retired.
Representatives of the NNRA and affiliated agencies, appearing on behalf of the Director-General, said that administrative procedures required proper supervisory assessment of APERs and acknowledged that gaps existed in the evaluation process.
However, committee members noted that the submissions did not challenge the APER’s submission itself, but rather reflected differing opinions on responsibility for its assessment and approval.