The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, salutes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for placing premium on the National Anti-Doping Bill, thereby giving the Nation a reputation. This makes Nigeria compliant with the WADA code, eligible in all ramifications to be in the league of sports recognised nations.
The transmission of the Anti-doping Bill 2024 to the National Assembly and the accelerated passage of same remains a landmark achievement of this administration. It is a show of the courageous and bold leadership of the president, a final and appropriate response to the perennial issues of doping that have characterised Nigeria’s relationship with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Senator John Owan Enoh, the Sports Minister, always made it clear that this administration was greeted with WADA issuing a notice to ban Nigeria from International Competitions which degenerated to the point that the agency took Nigeria to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
Amidst other non-compliant issues, the main challenge was Nigeria's inability to domesticate the National Anti-Doping Law and setting up a National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) as part of its obligation having signed the international convention in 1999.
“For years, the country has grappled with meeting up to the expectations of the World Anti-Doping Organisation, despite being a foundational signatory for 25 years.
"Nigeria has been in the eye of the storm due to its inability to domesticate the Anti-Doping Law with the backing of parliament.
"I must thank our sports-loving president for his foresight immediately the issues were brought before him. His foresight and actions have put the country on the right path in sports.
"I also appreciate the National Assembly for the passage of the bill, consideration and approval of the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters during plenary.
"The country will no longer have doubts of its participation in global sporting events, eligibility to host sports competitions amongst other perennial issues”, the Sports Minister said.
This welcome development comes weeks before the country’s participation at the Paris Olympics 2024.
