By Joy Odor
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to immediately inaugurate its 17-member governing board, warning that the continued delay is a clear violation of the NSC Establishment Act 2023.
SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, in a statement signed by Secretary-General Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo on Sunday, said the commission has operated without a statutory board since its creation in October 2024, contrary to provisions of the law.
“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 stated.
Citing Section 2(1) of the Act, he stressed that the board must include representatives from government ministries, sports bodies, the organised private sector, academia, the medical community, the military, persons with disabilities, the Nigeria Football Federation, the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, and SWAN.
He warned that all major decisions taken since October 2024 lack legal backing without the board’s input, adding that the NSC cannot function as a “two-man entity” of just the Chairman and Director-General while 15 other constitutionally mandated seats remain vacant.
The SWAN President also linked the delay to wider governance lapses in Nigerian sports, citing ongoing litigation involving the Nigeria Football Federation and controversies surrounding the Athletics Federation of Nigeria elections.
SWAN further expressed concern over its exclusion from key operational decisions, especially in appointing qualified Communication Managers for sports federations, an omission Benjamin described as a missed opportunity to boost sports promotion and attract sponsorships.
He stressed that one of the main reasons President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the establishment of the NSC was to ensure accelerated and holistic sports development, free from the bureaucratic bottlenecks of the past.
“A situation where political or non-professional approaches dominate the commission’s operations is not the way to go,” the statement concluded.
