The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre, NADC, signaling a fresh push to strengthen integrity in sports and enforce compliance with global anti-doping rules.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who performed the inauguration in Abuja, described the development as a major turning point for Nigerian sports, saying the country had moved from policy commitment to a fully constituted, independent and law-backed anti-doping institution.
Akume said the inauguration followed the enactment of the National Anti-Doping Act, 2025, which gives the NADC statutory authority to implement Nigeria’s anti-doping obligations in line with the World Anti-Doping Code.
He said the Centre and its newly inaugurated board were part of the Federal Government’s response to persistent doping concerns that have affected Nigeria’s reputation in international sports.
Addressing the board members, the SGF said their appointment was a call to duty, urging them to uphold the law, protect athletes and preserve the credibility of Nigerian sports through professionalism, independence and accountability.
He said the board’s responsibilities include athlete and stakeholder education, prevention of doping violations, protection of clean athletes and enforcement of anti-doping regulations. He also urged the board to extend awareness campaigns beyond elite competitions to grassroots sports, schools, academies, community clubs and national sports federations.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, congratulated the board members and pledged continued legislative backing for the successful implementation of Nigeria’s anti-doping programme.
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Ningi also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving sports development increased priority, saying budgetary allocations under the current administration reflected a strong commitment to repositioning the sector as a national asset.
Also speaking, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, described the inauguration as a landmark in the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s sports sector. He said the move marked another step in building a system anchored on integrity, accountability and sustainable development.
Dikko warned that doping remained a threat to athletes, sports federations and Nigeria’s international image, and charged the board to serve as the “internal compass” of the country’s sports ecosystem. He also called for the establishment of a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in Nigeria to cut testing costs, reduce turnaround time and strengthen anti-doping capacity across Africa.
Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, said the inauguration represented a significant milestone in efforts to safeguard the integrity of sports and improve Nigeria’s standing in international competitions.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olapade, assured the Federal Government that the board would carry out its duties with integrity and professionalism, while Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NADC, Mainasara Illo, pledged that the Centre would operate in line with World Anti-Doping Agency best practices.
The Technical Board is chaired by Alhaji Hon. Barrister Rasheed Olanrewaju Kazeem. Other members are Justine Chidi Okoroji Jnr., Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Gyaran, Pharm. Femi Ayorinde, Barrister Ben Okolo, Barrister Mrs Cynthia N. Aloke, Col. Abbas Mohammed (Rtd), and Mainasara Illo as Executive Secretary/CEO.
In his acceptance speech, Kazeem said the board would justify the confidence reposed in it and discharge its statutory responsibilities faithfully.
Crediblenewsng.com
