The chess competition at the ongoing 2025 Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) hosted by the University of Jos has been temporarily suspended following a protest by members of the coordinating team over the non-payment of their service fees.
The event, which began on Monday, November 10, at the University of Jos Main Library, was expected to conclude on Wednesday, November 12. However, play was abruptly paused after round eight when coordinators halted activities in protest against NUGA’s failure to settle their allowances.
When The Nigeria Education News visited the venue, several student players were seen seated idly after completing their last round. One of the coordinators confirmed that the chess director had left the venue, saying, “The director is on the ground floor, and the game has been paused because we’ve not been paid.”
Despite the disruption, many players appeared unaware of the cause. Assurance, a student from the University of Benin competing in the female category, expressed surprise when informed of the development.
“I wasn’t aware. We just finished round eight a few minutes ago,” she said. “It’s disappointing because there has been enough time for proper planning. The last NUGA was in 2022, three years ago so these issues should have been sorted out before now.”
She also criticized the accommodation arrangements, noting that her team was initially lodged at the NYSC camp in Kuru, far from the competition venue.
“It wasn’t conducive at all. We later discovered there was space in the school hostel, which would have made things easier and more fun like it was at UNILAG during the last NUGA,” she added.
Another UNIBEN female player, Esther Ademuyiwa, described the stoppage as “unfair but understandable,” emphasizing that officials deserved their payment.
“It’s the last day of the classical games, and the coordinators haven’t been paid. It’s only fair that the game stops until they’re settled,” she said.
Ademuyiwa commended the hospitality of Jos residents but echoed concerns about logistics.
“The distance between the NYSC camp and the game venue was exhausting. We often woke up as early as 4 a.m. to prepare and travel down. Chess is a mental game, players need rest,” she explained.
From the Rivers State University team, player Ebo Ngochukwu described the suspension as “disappointing,” citing poor organization and logistics.
“Some students were lodged outside campus, and today their bus broke down on the way here. They missed the first round. It shows how sensitive and poorly coordinated things have been,” he lamented.
Responding to the situation, NUGA Acting President, Ajibua, confirmed that discussions were underway to resolve the issue.
“We are working on it,” he said. “A technical meeting will be held later in the day, and we expect it to be resolved soon.”
As of press time, the chess games remain on hold, with players and officials awaiting further directives from the NUGA technical committee.
