A staff member of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), identified as Isah, has accused the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Khalil Suleiman Halilu, of withholding his salary for seven months and coercing him into signing an undertaking barring him from discussing national issues in public. Isah has also alleged corruption and political interference under Halilu’s leadership.

In documents and testimonies provided to SaharaReporters, Isah accused Halilu of using his position to exert political influence over the agency and denying him training allowances. He also mentioned that the EVC’s appointment was allegedly motivated by the goal of gathering funds for the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu.

Isah claims that a director at NASENI, Kabir Sani Omolori, alleged that Halilu’s appointment was politically driven. Omolori reportedly claimed that Halilu’s primary purpose at NASENI was to generate funds for Tinubu’s election campaign. Additionally, another official, Mrs. Patricia Nnaji, purportedly stated that Halilu lacked the required qualifications to head the specialized engineering agency, pointing out that he completed his first degree in just two years.

Alleged Mismanagement and Coercion

The tension between Isah and the NASENI leadership escalated when he was accused of engaging in political activities, making “malicious and derogatory remarks” about public officials on TV, and absenting himself from work without authorization. In an October 14, 2025 memo, Kabir Sani-Omolori, the Deputy Director of Pension and Discipline, outlined the disciplinary actions taken against Isah. These included withholding his salary and issuing a “strong warning” about his conduct. The memo also detailed the recommendation of the disciplinary committee to reduce Isah’s rank, although this decision was later reviewed and stepped down by the EVC.

Isah was reportedly ordered to provide a written undertaking promising never to repeat his actions. The memo warned that future violations could result in suspension, termination, or even dismissal.

Promotion Amid Controversy

Despite the ongoing conflict, Isah received a promotion, effective January 1, 2025, from Senior Programme Analyst (CONRAISS 9) to Principal Programme Analyst (CONASS SSS 02). The promotion was based on his performance over the past three years and his results in the 2025 Senior Staff Review exercise. The promotion letter, signed by Mrs. Yetunde E. Ajayi, Director of Administration and Human Resources, acknowledged his contributions to NASENI’s strategic initiatives.

NASENI’s Response

When contacted for comment, EVC Khalil Suleiman Halilu denied any knowledge of the allegations, stating that staff disciplinary issues were handled by the Human Resources Department or the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). He suggested that Isah’s withheld salary could be a result of actions that led to the disciplinary measures taken against him.

“I’m not aware of this, you should consider writing to HR or the SGF office as they handle staff disciplinary matters. My guess is if his salary is withheld out of thousands of people, then he must have done something that led to that,” Halilu told SaharaReporters.

Allegations of Corruption and Political Influence

Isah’s allegations highlight deeper concerns about the management of NASENI under Halilu’s leadership, with accusations of political favoritism and mismanagement of resources. While the agency is tasked with advancing science and engineering infrastructure in Nigeria, Isah’s case raises questions about how political considerations may be impacting the agency’s operations.

Isah’s complaints about withheld wages and forced undertakings suggest a concerning pattern of behavior that may be undermining both the staff morale and the integrity of NASENI. His allegations of corruption and political interference reflect broader issues of governance within the agency, which could have serious implications for the scientific and technological advancements it is meant to foster.