Ngerem sounds alarm over governance lapses at National Sports Commission
In a hard-hitting interview on M4S TV, former Athletics Federation of Nigeria president and Olympafrica ambassador, Dan Ngerem, has issued a critical call for reform, warning of deep structural flaws undermining Nigerian sports governance and athlete welfare.
At the heart of his critique was the restructured National Sports Commission (NSC), which Ngerem described as dangerously adrift. He condemned its operation under only a chairman and a director-general—without a governing board—as a fundamental failure of oversight.
‘It’s an aberration,’ he said, ‘that two individuals run a multi-billion naira body without corporate governance, historical grounding, or adherence to international best practices.’
According to Ngerem, the lack of a board creates fertile ground for mismanagement and discourages much-needed private sector investment.
He recalled precedents set by the Samuel Ogbemudia, Anthony Ikhazoboh, and Ishola Williams committees—all of which emphasized the necessity of a board structure to ensure accountability and strategic direction.
‘We asked for the NSC’s return, but what we got was a shell—stripped of the architecture needed to function responsibly,’ he stated.
Beyond governance, Ngerem painted a bleak picture of athlete welfare across Nigeria. He cited recent episodes where Paralympians were left stranded at airports and elite athletes languished without support after injuries.
