NSC THANKS PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR SIGNING NATIONAL ANTI-DOPING BILL INTO LAW

National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko has, on behalf of the entire sports stakeholders, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for signing the Anti-doping bill into law. According to the NSC Chairman signing the bill, which has been in the works for close to two decades,  into law reinforces President Tinubu's intentional and deliberate resolve to ensure that the nation aligns with global anti-doping standards and overall sports development.

His words, "My sincere appreciation and gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for speedily signing this bill into law. From day one, Mr. President has never hidden his desire to get this done and directed all parties involved to speed up actions to ensure the bill is concluded after lingering for close to two decades. Where there is a will, there must be a way. Mr. President put so much pressure for this bill to be concluded and brought to his table for assent.

"All our accomplishments within such a short time are down to the President's support and encouragement. This is another clear manifestation of the presidential backing we are enjoying."

He continued, "Indeed, I must thank other critical stakeholders for working tirelessly to get this concluded as directed by Mr. President. I recall when we were appointed, one of the immediate focal action points directed by Mr. President is to ensure the immediate conclusion of the Anti-Doping Bill and thus we immediately got to work and engaged with all parties involved from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Sports Committees of both the House of Representatives and Senate, Clerk of the National Assembly, Legal representatives and indeed WADA officials.

"Accordingly, I must specially thank the Attorney-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Chairman Senate Commitee on Sports, Chairman House Committee on Sports, Clerk of the National Assembly and other administrative staff, and the WADA Africa CEO for the brilliant collaboration and support to get the NADO Bill passed after close to two decades of back and forth and now duly assented by Mr. President.”

The Act domesticates the International Convention Against Doping in Sport and establishes an independent body charged with the responsibility for the implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards subscribed to by Nigeria.

Most importantly, this Act establishes the Nigeria Anti-doping Center, a development that excites Mallam Dikko.

"With this Act, Nigeria will become an anti-doping hub on the continent and the world as a whole as envisioned in the RHINSE framework. This aligns with Mr. President's gracious approval in the 2025 Appropriations Act  for the construction and equipping of a world class Anti-doping lab in Nigeria.

"There is only one of such laboratories in Africa and every country is expected to do at least 1,500 tests every year. Our samples are presently taken abroad just like other African countries but once the new lab comes on stream in a couple of years this would be a thing of the past and, in addition, this will be a huge revenue generator for the country. We can't thank the President enough for this", he added.

The Act is a marker to Nigeria's determination to ensure fairness and integrity in global sports as it domesticates the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports.

"With this, Mr. President has reaffirmed the country's commitment towards fairness in sporting competitions. Our athletes must be clean and free from any banned substances at all times. Mr. President's body language by promptly signing this bill into law is to tell the whole world that we are a nation that upholds integrity not just in sports but in all our endeavours", Mallam Dikko concluded.

Furthermore, the  Director-General of the NSC Hon Olopade noted  that with the conclusion of the NADO Act, the NSC will step up its game and would work hand in hand with the organization to ensure Nigeria remains fully compliant at all times and all requisite support will be provided to ensure seamless takeoff of the NADO.

As listed in the National Sports Commission and the National Sports Industry Policy (2022-2026), the advantages of the National Anti-doping Act are numerous. For instance, it will reclaim our position and will address all lingering doping problems facing the athletes and the nation.

Similarly, it will solidify Nigeria’s commitment to fairness, excellence, and integrity in global sports and safeguards the future of Nigerian sports, protecting our athletes from unfair practices while reinforcing our global reputation as a country that upholds integrity.

Accordingly, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the UNESCO Convention Against Doping in Sports will now give us our due respect and codify Nigeria is compliant and end all consideration of  sanctions and fines.

 It will also encourage athletes’ education and enlightenment through awareness campaign strategies while aiding drug-testing in and out of competitions.

This National Anti-doping Act 2025 will allow the National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) to coordinate all anti-doping strategies in compliance with the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC).

The Act will support the establishment and adequate funding of an accredited anti-doping control laboratory in the country and thus be a source of revenue and contribute to the sports economy.

Ultimately, it will enable the development of a National Anti-Doping Policy and Guidelines that encapsulates anti-doping rules which comply with the WADA Code.