Sports Minister Senator John Owan Enoh said there would be a total review of the constitutions of the sporting federations ahead of the elections billed for 2025.
This is coming at the wake of Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the country did not secure any medals.
Senator Enoh, speaking from Paris, stated, “We did everything as a Ministry to prepare the athletes adequately and provide them with every financial support but unfortunately the performance has not produced any podium finish.”
He continued, “As we go back home, we must do everything to prevent future occurrence of the Paris disaster and if this will entail the review of how people are elected to lead our sporting Federations, it will be done.”
Emphasizing the importance of upcoming federations’ elections, Senator Enoh noted, “I know that elections into the Federations are coming, and it will be the perfect platform to get only those who have something to offer to lead the various sports.”
Reflecting on the complexity of these elections, he added, “I am aware that the Sports Federations Elections in Nigeria are even tougher than our National Elections and you will begin to ask yourself why it is so.”
The Minister concluded, “So for me as a Minister it is important I supervise an Elections where only the best hands will lead the various Federations, and I also understand that in some of the Federations their constitutions will need to be reviewed for better inclusion.”
This call for reform aims to enhance the leadership and effectiveness of Nigeria’s sports federations, paving the way for improved performance on the global stage.
