By Efe Onodjae

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has called out the federal government over alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability within the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria, CTIN and urges swift response.

During a press conference in Lagos on Sunday, the association urged President Bola Tinubu to probe the committee over alleged mismanagement of the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria’s funds.

In August 2011, the Ministry of Trade and Investment established the Cement Technology Institute to support the domestic cement industry and its activities through the acquisition and development of appropriate technology, ensuring the availability of affordable cement throughout the country.

The Institute is mandated to carry out research and development, promote the adoption of sustainable alternative technologies, and human capacity building in the cement sub-sector of the economy.

According to the NANS Senate President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, the CTIN started ten years ago when Nigeria was still importing cement, and its purpose was to monitor the activities of those importing or producing cement in the country. The organization’s funds were intended to empower Nigerian students.

Providing a reason for the delayed action after ten years, Babatunde added, “We are more concerned that much of this information is just reaching the public domain now due to the hike in cement prices. We have seen it, and we see every reason for us to start now to put a stop to this.

“The CTIN is a committee involved with those importing cement and those in the cement industry in the country. It is meant to monitor their activities, and Aliko Dangote was made chairman of the committee. Part of their responsibility is to allocate funds for the empowerment of students, especially those in vocational skills.

“For the past ten years, the CTIN has not remitted funds, even to the Ministry of Trade and Investment. So, what we are saying is that we want those funds to be accounted for, and we want to ask them why they have not used those funds for the purpose they were meant for.

Calling the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate action, Babatunde added, “In clear terms, we urge Mr. President to direct the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to make public, as a matter of urgency and national importance, its role so far, the status, management, and usage of the over 20 billion Naira (about $100 million) contributed as levies on imported cement to CTIN for technical training purposes over ten years ago when Nigeria was still importing cement.

“We know and are fully aware nothing has been done with the fund in line with its purpose. This money should have gone to government coffers for investment in our vocational and technical education system.

“Your Excellency, to avert the degeneration of this matter, where all Dangote industries will be occupied by Nigerian students nationwide, kindly advise Alhaji Aliko Dangote to immediately engage an external independent forensic auditor to audit the CTIN funds. We also demand that anyone found guilty be held accountable for their actions.

“We further demand swift action towards restructuring the leadership and governance of CTIN, nothing like a life chairman; it should be democratic to prevent such overstays that bring severe mismanagement of what should be the People’s commonwealth in the future.

“We demand from Chairman CTIN Aliko Dangote an explanation of his level of involvement in the obvious allegations of mismanagement and misappropriation of CTIN funds.

“The Nigerian youth will no longer remain silent as our potential is suppressed, and our futures are jeopardized by anyone.

“This is not a plea for answers; this is a demand for accountability, transparency, justice, and a rallying cry for all those who believe in Nigeria’s potential and the rights of its youth to education, opportunity, and a fair shot at success.

“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.

“We will use every available platform and legal recourse to seek justice and ensure that such a breach of public trust never recurs.”