The National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, has firmly rejected allegations of nepotism, marginalization of Plateau State indigenes, and procurement irregularities that were outlined in an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The allegations, reportedly authored by leaders of the Plateau Youth Council, Berom Youth Moulders, and Berom Intelligentsia, claimed that the institute violated the Federal Character Principle during its 2022 recruitment exercise and was planning a lopsided hiring of over 200 staff.
In a comprehensive response, NVRI's Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Maryam Muhammad, dismissed these claims as "falsehoods and misinformation," emphasizing that all recruitment processes were conducted based on approved vacancies, specialized skills requirements, and strict adherence to Federal Character guidelines with proper authorization from relevant government agencies.
"With a total staff strength of 877 personnel, 400 are from Plateau State with 161 coming from Jos South Local Government Area being the extended host community. The 35 other states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory share the remaining 477 staff in post," the statement clarified.
The institute further emphasized that faith, tribe, or ethnicity has never determined committee compositions or project teams in the past five years. Instead, NVRI maintained that it has consistently adopted an inclusive and equitable approach in managing its diverse workforce, with fairness, gender inclusiveness, and competence driving all decision-making processes.
The management also refuted allegations regarding disrespect to traditional institutions, highlighting its corporate social responsibility initiatives that include drainage construction to prevent flooding, ICT donations to schools, and ongoing plans to provide a community borehole.
On procurement matters, NVRI asserted strict compliance with due process and financial regulations, challenging the petitioners to request relevant documents under the Freedom of Information Act if they had genuine concerns.
The institute also highlighted significant achievements over the past five years, including securing over 20 research grants, obtaining ISO 17025 certification for several laboratories, increasing staff training opportunities, and establishing collaborations that have substantially boosted vaccine production capacity—all within its 100-year history.
NVRI urged the public to disregard the allegations and cautioned youth groups against being manipulated to disrupt peace within the institution and its colleges, describing itself as "a strategic national asset that must be nurtured, not undermined."
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