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We may not hold external exams, NABTEB warns

Published

6 years ago

July 16, 2019

We may not hold external exams, NABTEB warns

Funmi Lawrence

The National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) says it may not conduct external examination for admission into tertiary institutions this year.

Mrs Shirley Imandojemu, Principal Legal Officer, NABTEB made this known in Abuja on Tuesday when members of staff of the board staged a protest to demand the opening of their office.

Imandojemu said activities of the board had been halted, allegedly by the Nigeria Police, owing to issues of ownership of the NABTEB office building.

She noted that Examination activities had been grounded since the closure of the office and candidates might not secure admission owing to the development.

According to her, candidates are supposed to be registering by now.

“I want to let you know that the property you are seeing was acquired by NABTEB in 1998 which is more than 20 years ago and we have all that is required for us to own it.

“We were told to convert from residential to commercial in 2013.

“We later got a letter from a faceless person through their lawyer saying that they have acquired this property under the Federal Government monetisation policy which is for career civil servants.

“But we all know that this is a Federal Government establishment.

“We went to court and the court granted an injunction in 2013 since then that injunction has been subsisting and the court said all parties should maintain status quo until the matter is determined.

“But recently we learnt that the defendant have been refusing to come to court.

“On Saturday, July 13, some of our staff were in the office and some unknown men just stormed the office, arrested two of our security officers took them to an unknown destination.

“The examination body is supposed to be registering candidates so that they can write exams for admission into tertiary institution.

“But now, our staff are littered everywhere as a result of this development.

“They locked up the place.

“On Sunday afternoon, two vehicles came here with more than 20 armed men, stormed into the office, vandalise it and started removing the properties of NABTEB.

“This is impunity. If the court has said that we maintain status quo, why will anybody say he is above the law.”

Imandojemu, therefore, called on the Federal Government, Civil Society Organisations and all well meaning Nigerians to come to the rescue of the organisation.

Earlier, Mr Paul Ohuimumwen, NABTEB Branch Chairman of NASU said that the building in question has Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) and there was no reason for any faceless person or persons to lay claim to a building that had been owned for over 20 years.

Ohuimumwen urged the government to wade into action as the closure of the office was detrimental to the success of candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions.

“We have the CofO of this land and suddenly somebody came and said they have bought it from FCDA; we went to court and the case has been in court since 2013.

“But these people have refused to be patient and they resulted to self action neglecting the pronouncement of the court of law .

“Our lawyer has finished what he has to do in court but the defendants were not around and the court adjourned hearing in the case until October.

“They were not patient to wait and decided to burgle the place and cart away our properties.

“The papers of students are in the office; right now as we speak, enrolment has commenced but candidates cannot access this office.

“They have resulted to take illegal possession of this place which cannot be tolerated,” he said.

Protesters carried placards with inscriptions like: NABTEB office not for sale; Unlock NABTEB office.

Other placards read: “We want to do our work and 2019 November/December registration under treat, among others, were displayed during the protest.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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