In a statement issued on Wednesday, the directors maintained that claims of institutional decline, poor research output, inadequate infrastructure and administrative failures did not reflect the progress recorded under Tutuwa’s leadership.

The statement was a response to a petition dated October 24, 2026, and published by Sahara Reporters.

Titled “How Are the Mighty Fallen: An Urgent Petition for Presidential Intervention to Rescue the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) from Institutional Decline, Restore Research Productivity and Ensure Accountable Leadership,” the petition was reportedly submitted by a group identifying itself as “Concerned Stakeholders at FIIRO.”

The group, whose members reportedly chose to remain anonymous over fears of anticipated litigation, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish an investigative panel to examine the institute’s infrastructure, research output, financial management, procurement procedures and governance from May 10, 2022, to date.

The petition also raised concerns about electricity and water supply, digital infrastructure, research activities and the utilisation of scientific personnel. It further questioned the demonstration and test-running of a locally fabricated gas stove intended for distribution by the First Lady during FIIRO’s 70th anniversary celebration.

However, the directors dismissed the allegations, accusing the petitioners of attempting to damage the institute’s reputation and destabilise its workforce.

They alleged that previous internal disputes and media controversies had harmed FIIRO’s public image, demoralised researchers and weakened public confidence in the institution.

According to the directors, Tutuwa had made considerable efforts to restore the institute’s reputation while improving its research capacity and administrative operations.

Directors defend electricity and water supply

Addressing concerns about electricity supply, the directors said Tutuwa inherited an outstanding debt of ₦25 million when she assumed office on May 10, 2022.

They stated that she subsequently cleared the debt to improve the institute’s relationship with the Eko Electricity Distribution Company.

According to the statement, the management also installed solar power systems at the ground and first floors of the Koleosho Laboratory Complex, the Information and Communication Technology Unit, the three-storey library complex and the administrative block.

The directors attributed some of the institute’s electricity challenges to the introduction of Band A tariffs, noting that government agencies and universities had also faced difficulties arising from rising electricity costs.

They claimed that FIIRO received between 18 and 24 hours of electricity daily from Eko Disco, with an average monthly electricity bill of ₦1.5 million.

On water supply, the directors said the institute operated a functional borehole that served its laboratories, workshops, pilot plants, offices and other facilities.

They maintained that the borehole had not developed any fault since Tutuwa assumed office, although power outages could occasionally disrupt water distribution.

The statement added that a 60KVA generator had been dedicated to pumping water to ensure supplies to critical areas of the institute.

FIIRO directors list operational laboratories and pilot plants

The directors also rejected claims that the institute’s laboratories and pilot plants were no longer functional.

They listed the Koleosho Laboratory Complex, cassava processing pilot plant, pulp and paper processing laboratory, ceramics pilot plant, packaging pilot plants, Product Design and Development engineering complex, foundry pilot plant, mushroom house and electroplating pilot plant among the facilities they said remained operational.

To support their position, they cited a visit to FIIRO by a delegation led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology on August 19, 2026.

According to the directors, the delegation toured the facilities alongside journalists and did not find abandoned laboratories or pilot plants.

Directors highlight ongoing research projects

On research productivity, the directors said Tutuwa had instructed heads of the institute’s technical departments to initiate new projects while continuing work on existing ones.

The departments include Biotechnology; Chemical, Fibre and Environmental Technology; Food Technology; Production, Analytical and Laboratory Management; and Product Design and Development.

They identified ongoing research projects involving biodegradable packaging for perishable fruits using cassava peels, food-processing machinery fabricated with food-grade stainless steel, waste-to-wealth initiatives, environmental pollution mitigation, vitamin-fortified foods and functional foods for malnourished populations.

Other research activities mentioned in the statement included the optimisation of drying processes, the use of bitter yam (Dioscorea dumetorum) in meal preparation, and the production and application of amylase, glucoamylase and xylanase in bread-making.

The directors also cited tissue culture, spawn production and the cultivation of Calocybe indica, commonly known as milky mushroom, among the projects initiated during Tutuwa’s tenure.

They said the institute had recently concluded a research project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, described in the statement as the “Boullion projects,” which focused on micronutrient stability using bouillon in Nigerian dishes.

The institute was also said to be collaborating with the Sight and Life Foundation on product innovation involving nutrition bread and multigrain pap, including phytase-related research.

Directors defend restructuring of zonal centres

The statement further highlighted the restructuring of FIIRO’s zonal centres, which the directors said had previously operated under the Directorate of Extension and Linkage while research and development activities were largely concentrated in Lagos.

According to them, Tutuwa separated the centres from the directorate and upgraded them to semi-autonomous research centres to enable them to conduct research based on locally available raw materials and regional economic opportunities.

They claimed that the centres had received infrastructure and equipment, including baking facilities, cassava bread production equipment and analytical instruments.

The directors listed the centres in Akure, Ondo State; Asaba, Delta State; Enugu, Enugu State; Yola, Adamawa State; and Langtang, Plateau State, as locations where offices and research laboratories had been constructed, equipped and commissioned, with solar power installations provided.

They added that the restructuring had facilitated the promotion of six deputy directors to director positions during the 2023 and 2024 promotion exercises.

Directors address staff promotion and welfare concerns

On staff welfare, the directors discussed controversies surrounding the 2021 promotion exercise, which was conducted on July 28, 2021.

They said the exercise had generated complaints over alleged non-compliance with Public Service Rules, resulting in petitions and delays in implementing the results.

According to the statement, the supervising ministry had directed that the exercise be suspended, but the then Governing Board, led by Mallam Ibrahim Gwarzo, disregarded the directive.

The directors maintained that Tutuwa subsequently addressed the outstanding issues, leading to approval for implementation by the Governing Board led by Mallam Gambo Jimeta and the supervising ministry.

They said the promotion results were eventually implemented with effect from January 2021.

The directors also disclosed that staff were owed promotion arrears for 2018, 2019 and 2020 before Tutuwa assumed office.

They said the DG/CEO raised the matter with the Director of Finance and Accounts and engaged officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Budget Office to facilitate payment.

According to them, the arrears for 2018 and 2019 had been paid, alongside those for 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Directors urge caution over petition

The directors urged President Tinubu and members of the public to exercise caution in considering the petition until its allegations were substantiated with evidence.

They argued that the institute’s ongoing research projects, infrastructure investments, expansion of zonal centres and staff welfare initiatives contradicted claims of declining research productivity.

The statement was signed by Dr. Ahmed Aroke, Director of Chemical, Fibre and Environmental Technology; Mr. Timothy Ajayi, Director of Production, Analytical and Laboratory Management; Engr. Dr. Livinus Onu, Director of Product Design and Development; Ms. K. O. Unuigbe, Director of Extension and Linkages; and Mr. Charles Ibe, Director of Human Resource Management.