SWAN Demands Immediate Inauguration of NSC Governing Board Amid Mounting Criticism
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has issued a strong call for the immediate inauguration of the 17-member governing board of the National Sports Commission (NSC), warning that the Commission is currently operating in violation of its establishing law.
In a statement released Sunday by SWAN President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, the association emphasized that the NSC has been functioning without a statutory board since its creation in October 2024, contrary to the provisions of the NSC Establishment Act 2023.
‘As a statutory board member of the NSC, I’m compelled to urge the Chairman and Director-General to take all necessary steps to inaugurate the board without further delay,’ Benjamin stated. “Operating without a duly constituted board for nearly a year is not only a breach of the law but also undermines transparency and accountability.’
Benjamin cited Section 2(1) of the Act, which clearly outlines the board’s composition—representatives from ministries, sports bodies, the organized private sector, academia, the medical field, the military, persons with disabilities, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), and SWAN.
He warned that all major decisions made since October 2024 lack legal backing in the absence of the board, and linked the situation to broader governance lapses in Nigerian sports, including ongoing litigation involving the NFF and controversies surrounding the Athletics Federation of Nigeria elections.
‘The NSC cannot continue to function as a two-man entity—comprising only the Chairman and the Director-General—while 15 other constitutionally mandated positions remain unfilled,’ he said.
‘This issue will remain on the front burner until the law is obeyed.’
SWAN also criticized the neglect of its role in media operations across sports federations, stressing the need for experienced Communication Managers to enhance digital visibility and sponsorship opportunities.
‘Ignoring SWAN’s expertise in this regard is a missed opportunity to leverage professional sports journalism for national sports growth,’ Benjamin added.
Former Athletics Federation of Nigeria President and Olympafrica Ambassador Dan Ngerem echoed SWAN’s concerns in a recent interview with SportsNow, describing the NSC’s current structure as a ‘dangerous aberration.’
‘It’s an aberration that two individuals run a multi-billion naira body without corporate governance, historical grounding, or adherence to international best practices,’ Ngerem said.
He warned that the absence of a board discourages private sector investment and fosters mismanagement. Ngerem cited past reform committees—led by Samuel Ogbemudia, Anthony Ikhazoboh, and Ishola Williams—which emphasized the need for a robust board structure.
‘We asked for the NSC’s return, but what we got was a shell—stripped of the architecture needed to function responsibly,’ he added.
