Sports
‘Education, Panacea To Athletes’ Doping’
The Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has said that education is the panacea to doping among athletes.
Adedoja spoke at the Forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), at the weekend in Abuja.
He said, however, that the NSC had been collaborating with various agencies to change the situation for the better, adding that they would come out with rules and regulations.
“We have a committee against doping in Nigeria, and Nigeria is also a member of the World Association Against Doping (WADA) that is in charge of regulating and monitoring athletes and officials that in one way or the other participate in doping in sports.
“We are also collaborating with various agents of government like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Immigration Service, and Nigerian police to ensure it stops, but basically what is most important is the issue of education,’’ Adedoja said.
He further said that the NSC had set up an education enlightenment committee and engaged some anti-doping staff who were currently in various Camps.
According to him, the athletes do not know who they are and could not tell whether they were with them in camp or in the rooms or clubs.
”I am sure that this will not only eliminate the issue of doping, but will completely eliminate it at the sporting arena,’’ Adedoja said.
The minister noted that doping, drug use and abuse in sports were international phenomena and that Nigeria was not an exception.
”We cannot have any excuse for any Nigerian to take part in it because apart from it robbing Nigeria of its place in international sports, it is not good for athletes themselves because it creates a lot of psychological problems for them,’’ he said.
It will be recalled that at the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, Nigeria won12 gold medals but later lost one when Damola Osayomi was stripped of her medal following allegations of doping.
At the World Championships in Berlin 2009, four Nigerian athletes tested positive to banned drugs.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.