Tinubu Urges Senate to Enact Bill Against Doping in Nigeria Sports

Sunday Aborisade  in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu yesterday asked the Senate to consider enacting a bill that would prohibit Nigerian athletes from consuming substances that could enhance their performances during or after sporting competitions.

The President’s request was contained in a letter read by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary.

The bill was titled “National Anti-Doping Bill 2024”

He said the proposed legislation will regulate substances that can be consumed by athletes during sporting events. 

Tinubu said the bill will provide a legal framework for the establishment of the National Anti-Doping Organisation, an organisation that promotes, coordinate and monitor the fight against drugs in sports in the country.

He explained that the establishment of the agency was a requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.

The World Anti-Doping Code (Code) is the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organizations and among public authorities around the world.

Tinubu noted that the law will help Nigeria avoid the imposition of signatory consequences, inclusion of laws of hosting and participating rights at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events. 

Part of the letter read, “In accordance with the provisions of section 58 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I forward herewith the National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 for the kind consideration of the Senate. 

“The National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 seeks to create an administratively independent  National Anti-Doping organization which is a cardinal requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the international standard for code compliance by signatures. 

“The enactment of this vital legislation will also help Nigeria avoid the imposition of signatory consequences, inclusion of laws of hosting and participating rights at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events” Tinubu  added.

The President however urged the lawmakers to consider the bill before the Olympic Games scheduled to hold in Paris  between July and August for Nigerians to be part of the competition. 

He said, “It is my hope that this submission will receive the humankind expeditious consideration of the distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Nigeria for passage of the same to law before the Olympic Games starting in Paris in July 2024.