The National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, has dismissed allegations of nepotistic recruitment, marginalisation of Plateau State indigenes, and procurement irregularities contained in a widely circulated open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The petition, reportedly signed by leaders of the Plateau Youth Council, Berom Youth Moulders, and Berom Intelligentsia, accused the Institute of breaching the Federal Character Principle in its 2022 recruitment, sidelining host communities, and planning a lopsided hiring of over 200 staff.

In a statement, NVRI management described the claims as “falsehoods and misinformation,” insisting that recruitment was conducted in line with approved vacancies, specialised skill requirements, and Federal Character guidelines, with full authorisation from relevant agencies.

According to the Institute, out of its 877 staff, 400 are from Plateau State, including 161 from Jos South Local Government Area — its extended host community. The remaining 477 employees are drawn from the other 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“At no point in the past five years has faith, tribe, or ethnicity influenced the composition of committees or project teams,” the statement said. “Rather, the Institute has maintained an inclusive and equitable approach, ensuring fairness, gender balance, and competence in its decision-making.”

NVRI also rejected claims of disrespecting traditional institutions, highlighting its corporate social responsibility initiatives, such as drainage construction to prevent flooding, ICT equipment donations to schools, and ongoing plans for a community borehole.

On procurement matters, the Institute said it strictly follows due process and financial regulations, urging the petitioners to request any relevant documents under the Freedom of Information Act if in doubt.

It further noted that in the last five years, the 100-year-old institution has secured more than 20 research grants, achieved ISO 17025 certification for several laboratories, expanded staff training, and enhanced vaccine production capacity through local and international collaborations.

The Institute called on the public to disregard the allegations and cautioned youth groups against being used to cause unrest. “NVRI is a strategic national asset that must be nurtured, not undermined,” the statement concluded.