Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) has appointed a new Acting Registrar and Chief Executive Officer.
He is Chemist Akwaowo Idongesit Reuben, who, until his appointment, was the Coordinator of ICCON’s Zonal Offices across the country.
His appointment follows the expiration of the second tenure of the former Registrar, Chemist Jwalshik Wilford.
The appointment was conveyed in a statement accompanied by a letter from the Office of the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, dated August 5, 2026.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, publicly announced Akwaowo’s appointment during a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, heads of departments, and directors on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in the Minister’s Conference Room.
He stated that the appointment was automatic and took effect from June 1, 2026, following the successful handover carried out in accordance with the succession procedure.
The minister also nullified the earlier process for a substantive appointment, describing it as a contravention of the provisions of the ICCON Act.
He subsequently directed that the appointment letter be issued without further delay.
He advised the new ICCON Chief Executive to take charge and ensure that the Institute remains on the path of peace and progress while effectively delivering on its mandate.
In his response, Chemist Akwaowo thanked the minister for publicly announcing his appointment, saying it had put to rest all uncertainties surrounding the leadership of the Institute.
He pledged his unwavering loyalty to the Federal Government and the minister, promising 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, Chemist Akwaowo becomes the first officer to rise through the ranks of the Institute to the position of Director, Scientific, before assuming the office of Acting Registrar and Chief Executive Officer.
He now takes over the baton as the chief administrator and custodian of the chemistry profession in Nigeria.
Mr. Akwaowo joined ICCON in 2005 as a pioneer staff member. He rose through the ranks, serving in several capacities across virtually all the departments of the Institute, including as Head of Administration, Accounts and Finance.
Most recently, he served as the pioneer Team Lead and the Registrar/CEO’s representative in the National Chemical Personnel Audit exercise conducted in chemical companies and chemistry departments of tertiary institutions as part of the Institute’s regulatory mandate.
He has attended various training courses and workshops and has represented the Institute at numerous conferences and professional fora.
Chemist Akwaowo is a Chartered Chemist and a member of several professional bodies.
Having attained the rank of Director, Scientific in 2025, he was, until his appointment, the Coordinator of ICCON’s Zonal Offices.
He has a background in the media and regulatory agencies and is married with children.
