Skip to main content Skip to footer 
The House of Representatives passed a critical bill on Thursday aimed at domesticating and enforcing the International Convention against Doping in Sports, as well as establishing the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre. The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Domesticate and Enforce in Nigeria the International Convention Against Doping in Sports, establish the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre to implement Nigeria’s obligations to World Anti-Doping Code, International Standards and for Related Matters (HB.1441),” was presented by Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere.
Ihonvbere emphasized the urgency of the bill, noting that failure to establish the centre by July 26 could result in Nigeria’s exclusion from the forthcoming Olympics. He stated, “This is a very important bill. It is for the health of sporting activities in Nigeria. We are already a signatory to the Code. Nigeria has been taken to the Court of International Arbitration for Sports for not setting up our Anti-doping Centre, which is required of all countries that have signed the Code.”
President Bola Tinubu had previously transmitted the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2024 to the House in May, seeking its accelerated passage ahead of the Olympic Games. In his letter, Tinubu stressed the necessity of creating an independent National Anti-Doping Organisation to ensure Nigeria’s compliance with international standards and to avoid potential sanctions, including the loss of hosting rights and participation in major athletic events.
The bill was subsequently referred to the Committee on Treaties, Agreements and Protocols for further consideration.
