The President of the Nigeria Association of Auctioneers (NAA), Alhaji Aliyu Kiliya, has advised the public to disregard any training programs organized by unrecognized institutions or organizations for auctioneers.
Speaking in his office in Abuja, Alhaji Kiliya emphasized that auctioneering is a specialized field requiring expertise, professionalism, and adherence to established protocols.
“You cannot just enter a sector and train people without having proper knowledge or authority in that field,” he stated.
Kiliya pointed out that the NAA, as the regulatory body for auctioneering in Nigeria, is unaware of any institute authorized to train auctioneers.
He called on organizations claiming to provide auctioneering training to present evidence of their contributions to the development of the profession.
“You can’t give what you don’t have. I challenge any institution to show what it has done to advance auctioneering in Nigeria,” he added.
Highlighting his achievements, Alhaji Kiliya noted that under his leadership, the association has made strides in uniting and professionalizing the sector.
He revealed ongoing collaborations with Ahmadu Bello University to establish a formal course in auctioneering, a move aimed at standardizing the profession and providing academic credentials for practitioners.
“My tenure has been about growth and education. We have exposed our members to new methods and practices to elevate this profession,” he said.
He further clarified that auctioneering requires hands-on experience and progression through various stages of learning, much like any public service job.
Comparing international practices, Kiliya cautioned against misleading comparisons between auctioneering in Nigeria and other countries, asserting that local realities and regulations differ significantly.
“Some claim we should practice like the USA, but that’s misleading. It’s like asking the Nigerian president to preside over another country,” he remarked.
Alhaji Kiliya also warned against illegal auctioning practices, highlighting that some organizations have faced legal action for improper activities.
He reassured the public that the NAA operates strictly within the framework of the law and urged Nigerians to avoid falling victim to unauthorized entities claiming to train or organize auctioneering programs.
“For clarity, the Nigeria Association of Auctioneers is the only authorized and experienced body to handle auctioneering matters in the country,” he concluded.
This statement reinforces the association’s commitment to professionalism and the protection of the public from exploitation in the auctioneering sector.
