Nigeria Risks IJF Sanction Over NSC Judo Caretaker Committee

Nigeria could face sanctions from the International Judo Federation (IJF) following the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) decision to constitute a six-member caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF).

The committee, chaired by Sheriff Hammed, was established last week to manage the federation’s day-to-day administration and conduct fresh elections following the dissolution of the NJF’s elected board by the IJF.

The NSC said the committee was constituted pursuant to Section 16 of the National Sports Commission Act, 2023.

However, provisions of the IJF Statutes raise questions about whether the appointment could be viewed as government interference in the administration of a national federation.

Articles 1.2.3 and 4.3 of the IJF Statutes require member federations to maintain autonomy and protect democratic electoral processes. The statutes also state that the IJF is committed to defending member federations against attacks on their democratic processes, particularly in elections.

Article 28 further provides that the IJF Executive Committee has the authority to suspend, expel or dissolve a national federation, subject to the prescribed disciplinary process.

Under the provision, alleged violations of IJF statutes or actions contrary to the organisation’s legitimate interests, principles or objectives may be referred to the Disciplinary Commission. Possible sanctions include restrictions on participation in IJF activities, suspension or expulsion.

The development has raised concerns among judo stakeholders over Nigeria’s international participation should the IJF decline to recognise the NSC-appointed committee.

A sanction could affect Nigerian judokas’ participation in IJF-sanctioned competitions, including World Ranking events and Olympic qualification competitions, depending on the nature and scope of any disciplinary action.

Portugal was reportedly suspended for one year in 2024 over statutory breaches, while India’s dispute over an interim administrative arrangement was addressed through subsequent developments involving the IJF and the country’s courts.

Stakeholders are concerned that formal recognition of the Hammed-led committee by the IJF may be necessary to prevent a dispute over the federation’s administration from affecting Nigerian athletes.

As of press time, no formal statement from the IJF or the African Judo Union recognising the NSC-appointed committee had been reported.