By Ado Salisu
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiative, registered by law to promote good governance, transparency and accountability in the sports industry without borders, has expressed concerns over the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
Led by Chairman, board of trustees, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, who said in a statement in Abuja recently that the AGM was a total failure, the NGO also degraded the AGM as farce and unacceptable, stressing that it is a disgrace that a country like Nigeria cannot convoke an Annual General Meeting by a premier sports institution like the NOC.
According to Gombe, “the leadership of the NOC has failed under Engineer Habu Gumel, which is regrettable. It is also difficult to comprehend NOC’s past actions or current initiatives. The NOC has been found lacking in transparency, accountability and good governance.
He expressed disappointment, saying “Imagine the Nigeria Olympic Committee scheduling an AGM on December 29, 2025, during the Christmas celebrations.
“How could the NOC, with such audacity, schedule an AGM during this time? It’s utterly wrong and despicable.”
Gombe averred that globally, it is customary for businesses and corporate bodies to suspend activities during this period.
Normally, from December 15th to January 15th, businesses are closed to allow people to attend to their faith, families and private engagements, he pointed out.
He reiterated that an AGM is typically included in an organisation’s calendar at the beginning of the year.
The NOC had 11 months to prepare, organize an AGM without interfering with citizens’ faith obligations in December.
“Our NGO’s findings revealed that 10 to 15 members of Congress, expected to join the meeting virtually, were unable to participate, which depleted the quorum. Moreover, such a significant absence would undoubtedly affect the quality discussions. I ask, is this how late Maj.Gen Henry Adefope and Alhaji Raheem Adejumo ran the NOC in their days?”
Unfortunately, Nigeria Olympic Committee is administered by clique, same with National Sports Commission (NSC),” he chided.
All these age cheat scandals and other vices were institutionalised by “the current regime whose oversight have been dubious. They want to take over NOC, control it and continue to do what they like. No way, we would shout and talk.”
As it stands, Gombe added, decisions made in such an AGM must be collective to be effective, pointing out that when leadership deliberately disenfranchises people, it suggests that their opinions are inconsequential.
This phenomenon has been a recurring issue in many sports associations in Nigeria, where individuals are primarily motivated by personal benefits such as transportation, meal tickets, hotel accommodation and other allowances.
“As long as they receive these benefits, they no longer participate in discussions or show interest in decisions made during gatherings.”
Gombe stressed that no chairman or president of any sports association or stakeholder with legitimate source of income, would travel to Abuja solely for the purpose of collecting allowances. They would rather focus on the topics and key decisions that would promote the growth of sports associations in the country.
The NGO boss maintained that he has not yet received the communique from the NOC AGM but will respond accordingly when received.
He also harped on the need for young, energetic individuals to replace the ineffective leaders in the NOC leadership, he expressed disappointment in the current state of the NOC under Engr. Gumal, questioning the benefit it has brought to sports in Nigeria, pointing out that during their last congress, they failed to present their financial report.
Whereas, the International Olympic Committee has been allocating funds to its affiliates, including the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
“We have been criticizing the Nigerian Football Federation’s financial management while overlooking the corruption within the NOC and various sports federations. The NOC should be the primary focus of thorough investigations.
“In my opinion, the NOC has failed to make a meaningful impact on Nigeria’s sports development, unlike its counterparts in other countries. Nigeria’s participation in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games has been disappointing due to NOC’s ineffectiveness. The NOC has consistently failed to make key decisions, leading to their repeated failures.
“The Nigeria Olympic Committee has relinquished its rights and responsibilities to the National Sports Commission, rendering it powerless in decision-making.
“We will scrutinize the Nigerian Basketball Federation and ensure that individuals whose tenure has expired step down, to allow others the opportunity. We will address this anomaly, regardless of who is involved,” Gombe boasted.
