NIFFROrganizational Structure
The Institute is governed by a Governing Board whose members are duly appointed by Mr. President. The Executive Director is the Chief Executive who sees to the day-to-day affairs of the Institute. He is assisted by Heads of Departments who constitutes the Internal Management Committee. There are five technical Departments and three Services Departments namely:
Directorate
Dr Attahiru Mohammed Sule
The ED/CEO oversees the Institute’s
national mandate for research, development, and production of freshwater fish
species, aquaculture and research into long-term effects of man made lakes on
ecology and environment in Nigeria.
He is the Research/Academic and Administrative Head of the Institute and
responsible for the research and administrative management and leadership of
the Institute.
SULE, Attahiru Mohammed was born on 13th June, 1963 at Konkoso in Borgu LGA of Niger State. He is fluent in Boko, Hausa and English languages while his hobbies are Reading, Travels & Livestock Keeping.
He obtained his B.Sc, M.Sc and Ph.D degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria while he obtained his MPA from University of Maiduguri. He is a specialist in Agric. Extension and Rural Sociology.
He is a professional member of
§ Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON)
§ Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria (AESON)
§ Rural Sociological Society of Nigeria (RSSN)
His journal publications are numerous with conference proceedings.
He was recently conferred with the prestigious fellowship honour of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON).
The Executive Director is the Chief Accounting Officer of the Institute and he is saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the affairs of the Institute. He works with the Internal Management Committee (IMC) and other key Officers of the Institute to achieve the institute’s mandate.
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
The Administrative department of the Institute is the fulcrum where the Institute hinges upon, Human and material Resources of the Institute are managed by this department by way of records keeping and management, protection and maintenance of Institute infrastructures, recruitment of personnel, appointment, placement, promotion, discipline of personnel, welfare management etc.
The administrative department of the Institute is divided into various sections and units:
Open Registry, Secret Registry. Welfare, Pensions, Records and Staff Clinic.
HEAD OF ADMIN
Shitongs, Sunday John was born on the 27th May 1970 in Pankshin LGA of Plateau State.
He attended the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he studied Public Administration. He is an associate member of Nigerian Institute of Management (AMNIM), A fellow of Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management.
He rose through the administrative cadre to an Assistant Director (Administration). He has three decades experience in administrative job functions and has attended various Administrative trainings which have impacted positively on the growth of the Institute.
He is married with three lovely kids and his hobbies are reading newspapers and travels.
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENTS
The finance department plays a significant role in acquiring, updating and maintaining the latest operations systems to improve efficiency.
The finance and account department is the unit of the Institute responsible for obtaining and handling monies on behalf of the Institute.
The department controls the income and expenditure in addition to ensuring effective financial running with minimum disruptions. Besides the traditional roles of handling the payroll, income and expenses, finance department responsibilities also include economic analysis to improve key business strategies.
The finance department has specific responsibilities to carry out daily. Its primary functions include:
1. Accounting
2. Examining financial statements and reporting
3. Preparing and forecasting budgets
4. Managing operations systems
ACTING HEAD OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE
INUWA Mercy Yaya, was employed into NIFFR in the year 2002. She is a certified National Accountant and has risen through the ranks to the position of an Assistant Director, Finance and Accounts.
She lead the department on the migration of NIFFR accounting system to online system of accounting. To her credits, she has attended several accounting and management trainings amongst some of them are GIFMIS, ippis, effective accounting for MDAs, etc.
RESEARCH OPERATIONS/DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
This is the centre that handles the mandate of the Institute. Research activities are coordinated through this office. The office receives directives from Government through the Executive Director to implement policies on Research. The Institute has five technical departments that are saddled with the responsibilities of handling all activities related to fisheries and aquatic resources.
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
Dr Abiodun Joshua Alayemola hails from Isanlu in Yagba East LGA of Kogi State. He joined the Institute in the year 1991 with the aspiration of ensuring that research into fisheries and aquatic sciences got its desired results. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin (1988), a Master’s degree in Statistics from University of Ilorin, Ilorin (1997) and a Doctorate degree in Fisheries Statistics from University of Ilorin, Ilorin (2009).
He rose through the ranks to become the Head of Department of Artisanal Fisheries before becoming the Director of Research operations in the year 2022 till date, his area of specialization is Fisheries Statistics and Management.
He is a generational changer who is an apostle of research for development, by this, research results must be translated into meaningful, feasible results that will improve the livelihood of the common man thereby meeting the mandate of the Institute which is in line with the Presidential directive of meeting up with the challenges of food security and bridging the gap of demand and supply of freshwater fishes.Aquaculture and Biotechnology Department
The primary objectives of the department are as follows:
- To develop appropriate technologies for the culture of freshwater fish in ponds, cages, pens, enclosures and for the integration of fish farming with other suitable farming systems to enhance sustainability and increased yield
- To develop efficient hatchery management techniques and protocols for the production of our indigenous fish species.
- To carry out nutritional studies with the aim of determining the nutritional requirements of our indigenous fishes and to develop cost-efficient fish feed from locally available feedstuffs.
To increase the efficiency of fish farming by genetically improving the quantitative and qualitative traits of our indigenous fish stock for increased growth rates, high survival rates, increase fecundity, improve tastes etc.
HOD, AQUACULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Dr. Moses Yisa Academic profile
Moses Yisa holds a B.Sc. degree in Agriculture (1992) from Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and a Master’s degree in Fisheries Technology, Postgraduate Diploma Certificate in Computer Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) in Fish Breeding and Genetics from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State. In addition, he obtained a Web-based Module Certificate in Research Methodology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
He participated in initiating and pioneering research in important aquaculture projects such as the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) as a team leader in Clarias anguillaris genetic growth enhancement and production of All-male tilapia projects. These have earned him for the Institute a good number of applicable technologies and innovation. He has over 50 publications in books, journals, conference proceedings, technical & annual reports and seminars to his credit. He has also anchored trainings, workshops, collaborations and outreach programmes of the Institute.
He has mentored young researchers within and outside the Institute leading to the award of degrees. He served in various researches management capacities such as Head of Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Research Programme and now Head of Department, Aquaculture and Biotechnology of the Institute; Institute Committee Chairman, Production and Internally Generated Revenue (I. G. R); Team Leader, WAAPP-NIFFR Aquaculture Research Projects among others. He is a member of Genetic Society of Nigeria (GSN) and Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON).PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Products Development and Engineering Department has the primary goal of exploring and developing new technologies and improving on existing ones in the areas of products development, value addition, fish processing and preservation, fish products packaging, fish spoilage and storage, and quality assurance.
To achieve these, the following research areas are key:
Ø To research and develop new products for aquaculture and fisheries development in Nigeria
Ø To study and improve on fish handling, processing and preservation, packaging and storage techniques
Ø To develop novel value added fish products through research and innovation for improved nutrition.
Ø To develop Standard Operating Procedures for processes and activities to meet national and international requirements for food quality and safety
HOD, PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING
DR JOSIAH A. IHUAHI holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of Jos (1995), a Master’s Degree in Applied Analytical Chemistry from the University of Jos (2002) and a Doctorate Degree in Applied Analytical Chemistry from the University of Jos (2013).
Dr Josiah Ihuahi as a Research Scientist has been into research and field works, and participated in national and regional projects over two decades in fisheries and aquaculture development. Just to mention a few, he had worked on the following projects: Competitive Agricultural Research Grant Scheme, CARGS, - Survey of Hatcheries in Nigeria (2009-2010), West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP, 2012 – 2018), Storage Life and Post-Mortem Changes of Selected Freshwater Fish Species in Ice and Ambient Temperature (2010-2013), Anti-oxidative and Anti-microbial Effect of Spices on the Quality of Hot-Smoked Catfish Species (2008-2010), Developed Novel Value-Added Fish Products for Improved Nutrition of School Age Children in North Central Nigeria, Pioneered the Development of a Large Scale Stainless Steel Fish Dryer for Processed Fish to meet National and International Requirements for Export (2019-2021) and Developed Protocols for Processed Fish to meet Local and Export Standards (2017-2021) amongst others.
OUTREACH DEPARTMENT
The department is the bridge between the researchers and end users. They provide information on fisheries researches conducted by the Institute which must impact on the end users, idividual or groups and set up system to enable the Institute to tackle the needs by conducting research for self-sufficiency in fish food. Therefore, the Department is set up to achieve the following activities:
Conduct socio economic and extension research.
Disseminate Promoting research results in Aquaculture practices, fish
preservation, processing and value addition.
Package and disseminate e-newsletters on fisheries technologies to
end-users.
Coordinate trainings in Fisheries and Aquaculture development.
Multimedia releases on indoor and outdoor fisheries services.
Provide educational support and skill development on fisheries and
aquaculture activities.
Coordinate workshops, conferences, trade fairs and other related
activities within and outside the Institute.
HOD, OUTREACH
Dr. Toyin Olowosegun had his primary school education at St.Barnabas Primary school, Ilorin between 1975-1981, also, secondary school education at Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran, Kwara State. He obtained Bachelor degree in Agriculture from University of Ilorin in 1997; he had a Master’s degree in Agricultural Extension in 2004 and Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Extension in 2013 from the same University.
Dr. Toyin Olowosegun as a Research scientist has been into research and field works close to two decades in fisheries and aquaculture development and had worked on the following projects: HIV/AIDS and Fisheries in Lake Chad Basin (2007-2009), HIV/AIDS and Fisheries in Lake Kainji Basin, West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme, Technology adoption, livelihood sustainability and diversification.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
• to carry out research activities on the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of inland water bodies with specific reference to natural and man-made lakes and rivers.
• to carry out research activities on the isolation and mass
production of live fish food organisms for use in fish hatcheries
• to assess physio-chemical and biological pollutants in our inland waters and recommend for water pollution control
• to carry out research into the hydrological behaviour of inland water bodies
• to ascertain the role of hydrometeorology in aquacultural
practices in Nigeria
• to study the biology and management of aquatic macrophytes and non-fish aquatic animals of inland water bodies
• to carry out research in the development and production of water quality test kits and other limnological equipment.
• To promote technologies for fish culture water recirculation as well as waste water use for the production of other agricultural crops.
HOD, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
He
is from Ngaski LGA of Kebbi State. He joined the Institute in the year 2001. he
graduated from Ahmadu bello University, Zaria where he bagged his Ph.D. he has
contributed towards the positive growth of the aquatic environment. He is an aquatic
weed control expert with special reference to typha species.
ARTISANAL FISHERIES DIVISION
Artisanal Fisheries Division is among the research components of the Institute that is central to the development and sustainable management of inland water bodies. This is achieved by conducting research, which provides baseline data on fish biodiversity, ecology, fish exploitation and utilization of inland water bodies with the following objectives:
inventory
identification and characterization of inland water bodies in Nigeria
to
study the biology and identification of fisheries resources of Nigerian
inland water bodies.
development
strategies for responsible fisheries of freshwater bodies
The above is targeted at increased fish production of the Nigeria water bodies, thereby improving the livelihoods of the fishing and surrounding communities. These are necessary for formulating vibrant management plans for the fisheries of Nigeria water bodies which include fish catch/yield, gear and craft types/usage and frame survey among others.
ARTISANAL STAFF ON THE FIELD
LABORATORY
The NIFFR Central Laboratory is saddled with the responsibility of carrying out scientific findings /analysis for stakeholders in fisheries and aquatic environment. The Laboratory is further divided into Biology and Chemical section, the equipment in both sections are state of the art equipment which is used for carrying out various analysis which includes proximate analysis (of fish, fish feed, food samples etc), detection of heavy metals in water and soil, enumeration of microorganisms in water, fish (fresh and preserved) to mention a few. Analysis of physio chemical parameters in water samples, phytochemical screening of samples
HOD and Laboratory staffs
Dr (Mrs) Aluko, Juliana Folarin holds a Bachelor degree in Microbiology (1986), a Master’s degree in Microbiology (1989), a Doctorate degree in Microbiology (2014) from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. she also has an associate degree in Bacteriology in the Institute of Medical Laboratory Science of Nigeria (1990) at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching hospitals complex, Ile-Ife.
Dr. (Mrs) Aluko J.P as a Laboratory scientist has been in the practice of laboratory profession for up to three decades now, along the line she has participated in the quarterly monitoring of water quality of Kainji Lake Water for the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (1994 – 1996) and in the microbial investigation of the integrated fish cum livestock farming system in NIFFR (1995).
LIBRARY, INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
Information is very vital to every organisation, if you are not informed you will be deformed , NIFFR library plays a vital role in promoting research work by providing relevant information needs to research scientists, stakeholder in fisheries and aquaculture and students on industrial training.
Below are activities carried out in the library, Information and Documentation.
1. Processing of information by cataloguing it before placing on the shelve
2. Organising library materials for easy retrieval for research scientists and library users.
3. Acquisition of relevant fisheries textbooks and journal for the consultation of research scientists and all library users
4. Information sharing to the scientists through different means e.g email, telephone, WhatsApp especially during the M.SC and Ph.D. programme
5. Bibliographic Publications of all research work published in Journals and conferences by NIFFR research scientists
6. Printing: Production of NIFFR publications especially annual report and Newsletters
7. NIFFR library projects the image of NIFFR as whole and research scientists through ASFA. NlFFR library is the only ASFA partners in Nigeria; the iibrary provides the abstract work done by all research scientists and make it available on ASFA database.
HEAD OF LIBRARY
Mr. Ibikunle, Femi Lawrence has a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Ado-Ekiti. He is a member of the Nigerian Librarians Registration Council (LRCN) and also a member of Aquatic Science and Fisheries Abstract (ASFA) . He has both local and international publications in Library Science. He is the ASFA representative in Nigeria.
MAINTENANCE UNIT
Maintenance unit of the institute is administratively directly under the Director of Administration. The activities performed includes and not restricted to the restoring the functionality of the institute’s physical structure and its affiliates. This includes offices accommodation, Residential quarters, research facilities such as ponds, Dams etc others are the road networks and vegetative cover.
HOD, MAINTANENCE
He graduated from Federal University of Technology, Minna. He is a Quantity Surveyor with over twenty (20) years’ work experience in built environment and road works. he was a pupil Quantity Surveyor with Dragetanous construction (Nig.) Ltd, (an Israeli firm) from 1996 to 97) and letter joined the Institute as a Quantity Surveyor.
He is a registered member of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and a registered member of the Quantity Registrar/Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria.
