Uchechukwu Nnaike
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has drawn President Bola Tinubu’s attention to what it described as mismanagement and lack of accountability within the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), an organisation under Aliko Dangote’s leadership as pioneer and self-imposed life chairman.
The association said this in an open letter to the president, titled, ‘Mismanagement and Lack of Transparency and Accountability in CTIN Funds Administration: A Call for Immediate Action’ and dated February 22, 2024.
The letter, signed by NANS Senate President Akinteye Babatunde, stated that the alleged misuse, diversion and misappropriation of such strategic fund intended to provide training and development opportunities for Nigerian youths in the cement industry in line with the establishment goals of CTIN is a weighty one, “in fact, it’s a future-threatening act and an act of economy sabotage.”
It said the fund had been squandered, leaving a trail of broken promises and shattered dreams, as Nothing can be pointed at as an achievement.
“The situation of countless Nigerian youths, who remain unemployed and lacking technical skills in a rapidly advancing global economy like ours, is a harsh testament to the repercussions of such mismanagement and embezzlement. Another hidden factor responsible for the unprecedented hike in cement price in the country. We demand answers, we demand accountability, we demand explanation and we demand justice,” NANS said.
The association, therefore, called on the president to issue a directive to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to make public, as a matter of urgency and national importance, her role so far, the status, management, and usage of the over N20 billion contributed as levies on imported cement to CTIN for technical training purposes since over 10 years ago when Nigeria was still importing cement.
It explained that Dangote “has been sole chairman since this institution was created by the Federal Ministry of Trade, in conjunction with cement importers – hence why we are also demanding an explanation directly from Dangote as to where is the said fund.”
To avert the degeneration of the matter, where all Dangote industries will be occupied by Nigerian students nationwide, the association appealed to the president to advise Dangote to immediately engage an external independent forensic auditor to audit the CTIN funds, “and we also demand that anyone found guilty be held accountable for their actions.”
The student body also demanded swift action towards restructuring the leadership and governance of CTIN, saying, “Nothing like life chairman, it should be democratic to prevent such overstay that is bringing severe mismanagement of what should be the people’s commonwealth from happening in the future.
“We demand from Chairman CTIN Aliko Dangote, an explanation on his level of involvement as to what looks to the public as a mismanagement and misappropriation of the CTIN funds.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, CTIN members, Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Investment, the Nigerian youths are waiting, and we demand your swift and thorough public response within seven days of publication of this letter.”
The students added, “The Nigerian youth will no longer remain silent as our potential is suppressed and our futures are jeopardised by anyone. We will not rest until every penny of the funds is accounted for, and until those responsible for this shameful betrayal of trust by hiding these funds and not using them for their right purpose, are held accountable publicly.”
