The National Association of Caterers in Nigeria has protested the alleged exclusion of their members from major catering jobs at the 2025 National Sport Festival.

Members of the association protested in Abeokuta on Thursday, armed with placards carrying inscriptions such as “Caterers Are Hungry”, “Gov Dapo Give Us Our Job”, “National Sport Festival Not State Festival”, “Our Job Is Not For Babcock University Is Meant For Caterers”, among others.

They noted that the caterers, many of whom are widows and struggling women, have relied on such jobs to support their families and also send their children to school.

Speaking on behalf of the association, the National President, Mrs Francisca Ojo, lamented that many members of the association had traveled from Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Imo, Calabar, Rivers and other parts of the country, bringing along foodstuff and other materials in preparation for the sports festival but were not accredited.

She called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, describing the situation as unfair and economically harmful to grassroots women entrepreneurs.

“We have spent our own money, paid for transportation and hotel accommodation, brought food supplies. Now we’re stranded. This is our fatherland. We’re not asking for favors; we’re asking for fairness. We beg His Excellency to use his good office to address this issue.

“All of us here have packed our belongings and travelled from across the country, Abuja, Calabar, Rivers, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, all states in the country, only to be told that we would not be participating,” she said.

Ojo also acknowledged that the commissioner for sports had met with them and urged patience while efforts were being made to resolve the matter.

However, she noted that no further communication had been received since then.

Ekwutosblog reports that the caterers also took the protest to the Ogun State House of Assembly, in Okemosan, Abeokuta.

Addressing the aggrieved members, the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, assured them that their request to provide service at the Gateway Games will be communicated to the relevant organs of government for necessary actions.