*Bows out of service after years of sacrifice, dedication
For Mrs. Tunde Kazeem Morolayo Abiola, fondly known as “Iya Kazo”, retirement is more than the end of a professional career. It is a moment to reflect on years of sacrifice, celebrate the grace of Almighty Allah, appreciate the people who stood by her and look forward to a new chapter of life.
After more than two decades of service at the National Examinations Council (NECO), Abiola retired with gratitude, having navigated demanding assignments, extensive travels, professional challenges and family responsibilities to rise to the management cadre before bowing out of service.
Her retirement thanksgiving ceremony, held on Saturday, October 25, 2026, at Hall of Fresh Hotel, Fate Road, Ilorin, brought together family members, friends, colleagues, sports personalities and well-wishers to celebrate a woman whose career was marked by commitment, diligence and resilience.
For the celebrant, the occasion was not merely a social gathering. It was an opportunity to acknowledge God’s protection throughout her working years and appreciate everyone who contributed to her journey.
“I feel highly delighted. I thank Almighty Allah for taking me this far. I am overwhelmed,” she said, expressing gratitude for a career that, despite its difficulties, ended on a note of fulfilment.
Looking ahead, Abiola said she intended to take a deserved rest before venturing into business, describing retirement as a welcome break from a job that often exposed her to challenging and hazardous conditions.
“Initially, it was so rough. But at the end of the day, it was glory for me,” she reflected.
Her story is one of perseverance. A sportswoman who developed a passion for tennis in her school days, pursued academic qualifications in physical and health education, and eventually built a career in examination administration that took her across several states and communities.
For many Nigerians, the work of NECO officials is most visible during examinations, when candidates sit for papers and examination materials are delivered to schools. Behind the scenes, however, is a demanding system that relies on the dedication of personnel working across towns, villages and sometimes difficult-to-access locations.
Abiola’s account of her years in service offered a glimpse into the sacrifices required to conduct examinations successfully.
She explained that examination assignments frequently took officials away from their families for days, weeks and sometimes months, depending on the nature and duration of their responsibilities.
During examination monitoring exercises, she could be required to visit between 20 and 28 schools, moving from one town or village to another and returning to some schools more than once where necessary. Such assignments demanded physical endurance, careful coordination and a strong sense of responsibility.
“You might find yourself in remote areas where you cannot find a hotel. You must look for a place to put your head for a good one month,” she recalled.
The distribution of sensitive examination materials presented another layer of responsibility. According to her, officials sometimes had to use their personal vehicles to complement the Council’s available transport resources.
Such duties could require her to leave home as early as 6 am. to deliver examination materials to designated locations before 9 a.m.
Routes from Ilorin to places such as Omu-Aran, Erin-Ile, Share and Bode Saadu were among those she cited as examples of the demanding journeys involved.
These trips, undertaken under strict time constraints, required alertness, discipline and an unwavering commitment to the integrity of the examination process.
Reflecting on the accidents and other difficulties encountered along the way, Abiola attributed her safe passage through the years to divine protection.
“Through thick and thin, accidents sometimes, and serious challenges, I scaled through, by His grace,” she said.
Her testimony highlighted a dimension of public service that often goes unnoticed. The personal sacrifices of officials whose responsibilities extend far beyond their offices.
Born in Ondo State on October 15 in the mid-1960s to the late Reverend Canon Alfred Adeyemi Solomon and the late Bernice Abosede Solomon, Abiola’s journey began with a strong educational foundation.
She attended St. Stephen’s Primary School, Agbonda, obtaining her Primary School Certificate in 1977, before proceeding to Anglican College of Commerce, now Anglican Comprehensive College, Offa, where she completed her secondary education in 1983.
She subsequently attended Kabba Teachers College, where she obtained her Grade II Certificate, and later proceeded to Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, for her National Certificate in Education in Physical and Health Education.
Determined to advance academically, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical and Health Education from the University of Ilorin in 1995. In 2006, she further strengthened her qualifications with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the same institution.
Her professional journey included a brief period as a classroom teacher under the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission after completing the National Youth Service Corps programme.
She joined NECO in January 2002, beginning her service at the Council’s Kwara State office before moving to the Osun State office. She returned to Kwara in 2012 and remained there until her retirement.
Over the years, she served in several departments and units, including Registration, Certificate, General Services and Custodial Units, before becoming Head of the Accreditation Unit.
Her progression through these departments provided her with broad experience in the administrative processes supporting the conduct of credible examinations.
For Abiola, attaining the management cadre before retirement was a significant milestone, particularly given the professional challenges she said she encountered during her years of service.
While she declined to dwell on some of the difficulties she experienced, her reflections conveyed a sense of satisfaction at having completed her career successfully.
Long before her years at NECO, Abiola had established herself as a sports enthusiast, particularly in tennis.
During her secondary school days at Anglican College of Commerce, Offa, she played tennis and participated in sprinting events. Her sporting talent subsequently earned her opportunities to represent her institutions and Kwara State at competitions.
In 1990, she represented Kwara State College of Education at the NATCEGA Games in Gumei, Jigawa State. She also received the Best Sportswoman of the Year award during her graduation ceremony at the College of Education, Ilorin.
The following year, she represented Kwara State in tennis at the National Sports Festival in Bauchi.
In 1992, she won a gold medal and trophy in the Ladies’ Singles at the first Hajia Shaba Lafiaji Female Tennis Championship held at Kwara Hotel.
Her achievements continued in 1993 when she represented the University of Ilorin at the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games hosted by the university, winning a bronze medal in the Ladies’ Doubles.
In 1995, she represented the University of Ilorin at the West Africa University Games held at the University of Benin, Edo State.
These achievements reflect a sporting background that would remain an important part of her identity throughout her professional life.
Her connection to sports also played a significant role in her personal life, as she met her husband, Coach Tunde Yinusa Kazeem, through the sporting community.
Kazeem, a former Director of Sports in Kwara State and former Chairman of the Directors of Sports Forum in Nigeria, currently serves on the board of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria.
Their marriage, which began in 1995, has been sustained by mutual understanding and support, despite the demands of their respective professional responsibilities.
One of the most emotional aspects of Abiola’s retirement reflection was her appreciation of her husband for standing by her throughout her career.
She acknowledged that the demands of examination monitoring and other assignments frequently kept her away from home for extended periods. Yet, she said, her husband remained supportive.
“The job requires travelling, and I thank God for the husband I have. Sometimes I travel for weeks and months, monitoring exams. He is so supportive and never complained. He is also a traveller. We understand each other,” she said.
For a couple whose careers were closely linked to sports and public service, understanding the demands of their respective jobs was essential to maintaining family stability.
Kazeem, in his remarks at the ceremony, expressed gratitude to God for their union and for the successful completion of his wife’s career.
He described himself as fortunate to have Abiola as his wife, praising her reliability and the confidence he had in her ability to manage the home front whenever his own duties took him away.
“I am lucky to have her as my wife. I give it to her,” he said.
He noted that both of them travelled frequently in the course of their professional assignments and sometimes had to be away from home at the same time.
According to him, their mutual understanding helped them navigate those demands without allowing their careers to undermine their family responsibilities. He also appreciated their children for their understanding and support over the years.
Kazeem acknowledged the contributions of individuals who supported the family and the celebration, including former badminton player Laide Yusuf Mogaji, now based in Sweden, and Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and a figure involved in badminton administration at continental and international levels.
Their story demonstrates the importance of partnership in sustaining demanding careers, particularly where professional commitments require frequent travel and prolonged absences from home.
In her appreciation message, Abiola reserved special recognition for her late parents, whom she credited with laying the foundation for her achievements.
She also offered heartfelt prayers for her husband, describing him as a source of love, encouragement, support and understanding throughout the ups and downs of her professional journey.
“You are indeed a superman, a friend, a brother, a father, and a prayer partner,” she said in her tribute to him.
She prayed for his continued good health, protection, peace of mind, joy and long life.
Her appreciation extended to her siblings, who understood the demands of her work and did not take offence when she was unable to attend family meetings and gatherings. She also commended her children for their patience during assignments that kept her away from home for days, weeks and months.
Her in-laws were equally acknowledged for their support and kindness.
The tributes underscored the collective sacrifices that often accompany a successful career. Behind the professional achievements was a family that had to adjust to the demands of a job whose responsibilities could extend across geographical boundaries.
Abiola also expressed gratitude to the pioneer Registrar of NECO, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, and Professor Adeyemi Idowu, whom she credited with helping her find her way into the Council.
She recognised the various supervisors under whom she served, including Alhaji Hamid K-Raheem, Alhaji Lasi Abimbola, Mr Felix Oyewole, Madam Wusa Tilde, Alhaji Saad Agboola, Mr Toye Jodoope, Mrs Margaret Odelubade, Mr Ademola Adewusi and Mr Donel Adi.
She described them as excellent bosses who trusted her with responsibilities during their respective tenures.
Her recognition of these individuals reflected an appreciation of the professional relationships and opportunities that helped shape her career.
The retirement ceremony also provided an opportunity for colleagues and members of the sports community to celebrate Abiola’s contributions to public service.
The Kwara State Director of NECO described her as a workaholic, dedicated, committed and diligent staff member whose approach to her duties set a positive example for others.
His remarks reinforced the image of a professional who took her responsibilities seriously, even when they demanded considerable personal sacrifice.
Mallam Hameed Adio also commended her for managing the pressures of her demanding job while keeping the home front stable.
He described her as a good woman worthy of emulation, recognising the balance she maintained between professional obligations and family responsibilities.
For her colleagues, the occasion was also an emotional farewell.
Alhaji Sulaiman Oladimeji Mohammed, popularly known as Cisse, described the day as special to both himself and the celebrant, whom he regarded as a senior colleague.
He praised her commitment, loyalty and dedication to NECO, adding that her departure would be felt by those who had worked alongside her.
“We will surely miss her,” he said.
The eldest son of the family, Kazeem Oladimeji, expressed gratitude to God for blessing the family with parents who continued to provide positive direction and set good examples for their children.
He thanked both parents for their sacrifices, acknowledging the efforts they had made to ensure the family’s progress.
The gathering also featured goodwill messages and presentations from members of the Kwara badminton community, the Kwara chapter of the Nigerian Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS), NECO staff, family members, friends and other well-wishers.
The Kwara badminton family was led by Mrs Kemi Jimoh, while Dr Mrs Rofiat Dauda and Hajia Hadiza Ahmed represented NAWIS and presented a souvenir on behalf of the association.
Others present included the Mogaji of Ajelanwa community, Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka, Mallam Hameed Adio OLY; Alhaji Gesinde Adedeji Amosa; Mallam Shola Shehu; Alhaji Ahmed Abdullah; Mrs Monisola Makanjuola; and Abiola’s former schoolmates from Anglican College of Commerce, Offa.
The Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara State chapter, Mallam Ayodeji Ismail, and the Secretary of the Kwara State Football Association, Kashim Mohammed Agaka, were also among those who attended.
Their presence reflected the strong ties Abiola maintained with both the examination administration and sports communities.
Although her retirement marks the end of a demanding professional journey, Abiola used the occasion to offer advice to younger colleagues still in service. She urged them to embrace honesty, dedication, hard work and discipline, regardless of the challenges they might encounter.
“My advice to my colleagues who are coming behind is to work hard, be honest, show dedication and, most especially, maintain discipline in whatever duties are assigned to you, and you will also come out successfully,” she said.
The message was consistent with the values she highlighted throughout her reflections on her career.
For her, professional success was not simply about reaching a particular position before retirement. It was also about remaining committed to assigned responsibilities, maintaining integrity and overcoming difficulties without losing sight of one’s obligations.
Her experience illustrates the often-unseen demands of public service, especially in an institution responsible for examinations that play an important role in the educational advancement of millions of Nigerians.
From early-morning journeys to deliver sensitive materials to the challenges of monitoring examinations in remote communities, her career required more than technical knowledge. It demanded resilience, adaptability and a willingness to make personal sacrifices.
Yet, as she looks towards retirement, it is gratitude rather than grievance that dominates her reflections.
She chose to celebrate the opportunities she received, the people who supported her, the family that stood by her and the divine protection she believes sustained her through difficult moments.
Retirement is not an end but the beginning of another phase of life.
Having devoted years to education, examination administration and professional responsibilities, she now intends to take a break before exploring business opportunities.
Her journey from a young tennis player at Anglican College of Commerce, Offa, to a graduate of the University of Ilorin, a public servant and a member of NECO’s management cadre offers an example of perseverance and lifelong commitment.
It is also a story of partnership: a husband who understood the demands of her work, children who adapted to her frequent absences, and colleagues who recognised her dedication.
As the ceremony drew attention to her accomplishments, the central message of her retirement remained clear: a successful career is measured not only by professional advancement but also by the integrity with which duties are performed and the relationships sustained along the way.
For Abiola, the journey may have been rough at the beginning, but she believes she has arrived at its conclusion with reason to give thanks.
And as she steps into retirement, her counsel to those who remain is simple: work hard, be honest, stay dedicated and remain disciplined.
After years of service, sacrifice and resilience, Iya Kazo has earned her moment of rest, and the opportunity to begin again.
