The Federal Government of Nigeria has appointed a former staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Idongpee Akwaowo Reuben, as acting Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria ICCON.
Akwaowo’s appointment followed the expiration of the second tenure of the former Registrar Chemist, Jwalshik Wilford.
In a letter released August 5, 2026, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako said the appointment was of immediate effect.
Salako had publicly pronounced Chemist Akwaowo’s appointment during a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Heads of Departments, Directors in June 10, 2026, in the Minister’s Conference Room.
The minister announced that the appointment was automatic and effective 1st June, 2026 following the satisfactory handover that followed the succession procedure.
He nullified the earlier process put in place for a substantive appointment, citing it as a contravention of the provision of the ICCON Act.
He further directed that the appointment letter be issued without further delay.
The minister admonished the new ICCON Chief Executive to take charge and ensure that the Institute is on the path of peace and progress to deliver her mandates.
In his response, Akwaowo thanked the Honourable Minister for pronouncing the appointment publicly which has laid every uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the Institute to rest.
He pledged his loyalty to the federal government and the minister and promised to work with his Management Team to align with the policy directives of the Ministry as well as the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government.
By this appointment, Akwaowo becomes the first to assume the mantle of leadership of the institute that rose across the ranks and file to the position of Director, Scientific.
He therefore takes over the baton as the Chief administrator and custodian of the practice of the Chemistry Profession in Nigeria.
Akwaowo joined ICCON in 2005 as a pioneer staff, rose through the ranks and served in many capacities transcending virtually all the Departments in the Institute including HOD, Administration/Accounts & Finance.
Most recently, he served as the pioneer Team Lead and the Registrar/CEO Representative in the National Chemical Personnel Audit excercise to Chemical companies and Chemistry Departments in Tertiary Institutions as part of the Institute’s regulatory mandates.
He has attended various courses and workshops and represented the Institute at various conferences and fora.
Akwaowo is a Chartered Chemist and also a member of a number of professional bodies.
Having rose to the rank of Director, Scientific effective 2025, until his appointment, he was the Coordinator, Zonal Offices of ICCON.
The extraordinary chemist with widespread media and regulatory backgrounds is married with children.
