Administrative reforms, staff welfare, institutional expansion and strategic stakeholder engagement define the first 100 days of Chemist Akwaowo Idongesit Reuben as Ag. Registrar/CEO of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria.
September 8, 2026 marks 100 days since Chemist Akwaowo Idongesit Reuben assumed office as the Acting Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON).
In a relatively short period, the Ag. Registrar/CEO has initiated a number of administrative and operational measures aimed at strengthening the Institute, improving service delivery and repositioning ICCON to more effectively fulfil its regulatory responsibilities.
As a pioneer officer of the Institute who rose through the ranks to become a Director, having served in several operational departments, Chemist Reuben assumed the leadership of ICCON with considerable institutional experience and knowledge of its operations.
His first 100 days have been characterised by a deliberate focus on administrative restructuring, staff welfare, infrastructure, institutional expansion, professional development and strategic engagement with government and other stakeholders.
At the heart of these interventions is a broader objective: to strengthen ICCON as Nigeria’s regulatory body for the teaching and practice of chemistry, while enhancing its capacity to promote responsible chemical management, professional standards, chemical safety and the protection of public health.
Restructuring for Efficiency:
One of the major priorities of the administration has been the strengthening of ICCON’s administrative structure. Existing departments have been resuscitated while additional departments have been created to improve efficiency and facilitate the effective discharge of the Institute’s mandate.
Heads of Departments have been appointed based on professional competence and relevant expertise, while a new management team has been constituted to support the Ag. Registrar/CEO in driving the Institute’s programmes and strategic objectives.
Expanding ICCON’s Presence:
The administration has also made progress in expanding the Institute’s operational footprint.
An office space has been successfully secured at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Uyo, to serve as ICCON’s South-South Zonal Office. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to secure another office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The expansion is expected to improve ICCON’s accessibility and strengthen its regulatory presence among chemists, chemical practitioners and other stakeholders across the South-South region.
Putting Staff Welfare at the Centre:
Staff welfare and career progression have remained important components of the administration’s agenda.
A major milestone has been the successful conduct of the 2025 staff promotion exercise, which had remained outstanding for approximately one year and five months before the assumption of the new Ag. Registrar/CEO. The affected staff were promoted, with their new grade levels subsequently uploaded onto the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
The administration has also commenced the payment of outstanding transfer entitlements to staff who were transferred between 2019 and 2023.
Restoring and Maintaining Critical Assets:
Attention has also been directed towards the rehabilitation of the Institute’s critical assets and facilities.
The Institute’s Peugeot Expert and Nissan Urvan buses, which had remained grounded for years, have been repaired and restored to service.
Similarly, computers, photocopiers and printers in the Human Resources Department at the Institute’s headquarters, which had remained non-functional for an extended period, have been repaired and restored for use.
Deepening Government and Stakeholder Engagement:
Another notable feature of the first 100 days has been increased engagement with key government institutions.
The Ag. Registrar/CEO has intensified interactions with relevant committees of the National Assembly, including the Senate Committee on Public Accounts and the House of Representatives Committee on Procurement, among others.
These engagements are aimed at strengthening institutional relationships, enhancing ICCON’s visibility and promoting greater understanding and support for the Institute’s statutory mandate.
Courtesy Visit to Zirconex Mining and Metal Laboratory Ltd:
In furtherance of its stakeholder engagement drive, the Ag. Registrar/CEO and his team paid a courtesy visit to Zirconex Mining and Metal Laboratory Ltd, an engagement that further highlighted the vital importance of chemistry regulation in Nigeria.
The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, promote compliance with professional and regulatory standards, and emphasise the critical role of chemistry in mining, metals, laboratory analysis, environmental protection, public safety and sustainable industrial development.
As the regulator of the chemistry profession, the Institute remains committed to ensuring that chemical practices and laboratory operations meet the required standards, while fostering meaningful partnerships with industry stakeholders.
The visit was indeed a demonstration of leadership, professional engagement and the importance of effective chemistry regulation in advancing Nigeria’s scientific and industrial development.
Revamping ICCON’s Website:
In line with efforts to improve visibility and communication, the Ag. Registrar/CEO has engaged a consultant to develop and manage content for the Institute’s website. The exercise also involves a thorough review of the platform to identify and resolve broken links and dead pages, ensuring that members, stakeholders and the public have seamless access to accurate, up-to-date information on the Institute’s activities and developments.
The initiative forms part of the administration’s broader drive to project ICCON as a modern, transparent and responsive regulatory body, and to ensure that its digital presence properly reflects the scope of its ongoing reforms.
Strengthening Chemical Safety and the EUC Regime:
Since his assumption of office, the Ag. Registrar/CEO has been working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure a smooth End-User Certificate (EUC) regime. To facilitate the quick issuance of EUCs, the Institute is currently compiling a comprehensive list of all registered corporate members and their technical officers to ease verification of up-to-date technical personnel involved in EUC applications. The Institute also officially participated, for the first time, in the review of NAFDAC chemical and chemical product regulations, further reinforcing its role in strengthening the regulatory framework for chemical safety in Nigeria.
According to the Ag. Registrar/CEO, chemical security must be taken seriously, and achieving it requires that key personnel within the chemical industry be properly documented and held accountable.
Advancing Professional Development:
Preparations are also in top gear for the Institute’s 21st Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme scheduled for November 2026.
The MCPD remains a key platform for strengthening the professional competence of registered chemists and promoting continuous learning and development in the practice of chemistry.
Repositioning ICCON for Public Health and Chemical Safety:
The significance of the reforms undertaken during the first 100 days extends beyond administrative transformation. For ICCON, institutional efficiency is ultimately a means to a larger regulatory objective.
As the statutory regulatory body for the teaching and practice of chemistry in Nigeria, ICCON has an important role in ensuring that chemistry is practised responsibly, professionally and safely.
The ongoing repositioning of ICCON under the leadership of Ag. Registrar/CEO, Chemist Akwaowo Idongesit Reuben, is therefore geared towards enhancing the Institute’s capacity in chemical management, regulatory compliance, professional standards and chemical safety, with the broader goal of contributing to better public health protection and the safety of Nigerians.
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