Dikko: Nigeria to become an anti-doping hub in Africa

National Sports Commission, NSC, Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko says Nigeria will become an anti-doping hub especially on the continent and the world in general following the signing into law of the National Anti-Doping by President Bola Tinubu.

The Act (bill) 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 said.

Dikko says 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.

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.