Nigeria’s National Sports Commission has installed a caretaker committee for the Nigeria Judo Federation following the dissolution of its board, while also reassigning General Secretaries across several national federations to reinforce sports administration.
Key takeaways
- A six-person interim body will manage the Nigeria Judo Federation until elections produce a new board.
- Sheriff Hammed will lead the caretaker committee, with Amayo Ngozi serving as secretary.
- The committee must revise the federation’s constitution to comply with International Judo Federation standards.
- Bunmi Oluode has been named Secretary General of Athletics, replacing Israel Inwang.
- Rita Mosindi takes up the role of Acting Secretary General of Basketball.
Judo federation placed under interim management
The National Sports Commission, acting under Section 16 of the National Sports Commission Act, 2023, approved the six-member panel after the International Judo Federation dissolved the Nigeria Judo Federation board. The arrangement begins immediately and will remain in place until a properly elected executive is installed.
Sheriff Hammed has been appointed chairman of the committee. Ekuta Catherine Ewa, Sule Musa, Bashir Musa Bassey and Oladipupo Idowu will serve as members, while Amayo Ngozi has been appointed secretary.
The interim panel will handle the federation’s routine operations and implement reforms aimed at creating a stronger administrative structure. Its responsibilities include revising the NJF constitution in line with IJF regulations, calling an Annual General Meeting to ratify the updated document, conducting elections and ensuring a smooth transfer of authority to the incoming elected board.
The Commission called on the committee to carry out its duties diligently, openly and without bias. It also urged members to prioritise the growth of judo and to engage all relevant stakeholders during the transition period.
Federation secretaries reassigned
National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade announced the redeployments of federation General Secretaries during a meeting with the secretaries in Abuja.
Olopade praised the officials for their professionalism, dedication and personal sacrifice, as well as the backing they have provided since the present Commission leadership, headed by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, assumed office. He said the changes were designed to further improve federation management under the Renewed Hope agenda for sports development.
“Let me be clear that no secretary is being removed because he or she has been sacked. They are only being posted to another federation to carry out another assignment,” Olopade said. He described the secretaries as “the lifeline of our sports.”
In the new postings, Bunmi Oluode becomes Athletics Secretary General, while outgoing athletics secretary Israel Inwang moves to the Padel Federation. Rita Mosindi has been appointed Acting Secretary General for Basketball, with former basketball secretary Amina Amanchi redeployed to the Rowing Federation.
Tosin Samuel will serve as Secretary General of the Shooting Federation, while Tinuoso Dolapo assumes the same role at the Karate Federation. Javan Bennard has been posted to Fencing, and Dorothy Okpo becomes Secretary General of the Arm Wrestling Federation.
The NSC said the decisions are part of a wider push to make better use of administrative resources, place experienced professionals where they can have the greatest impact and raise the operational standards of Nigeria’s national sports federations.
