Nigerian Boxing Bodies Lock Horns Over Professional Control

A significant dispute has erupted within Nigerian boxing, with the Secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Oluremi Aboderin, accusing Omolei Imadu, Vice President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), of attempting to usurp the NBB of C’s statutory authority over professional boxing.

Mr. Aboderin alleges that Mr. Imadu is “working underground” to secure ministerial approval for the NBF to operate professional boxing, a responsibility he firmly states falls outside the NBF’s established remit. The NBF Vice President reportedly declared the amateur body’s interest in taking on professional boxing roles during a recent boxing platform discussion.

However, Mr. Aboderin reiterated that the NBB of C, led by Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, is the legally recognised and registered body responsible for overseeing professional boxing activities across Nigeria. He emphasised, “After an amateur career, if a boxer still wants to continue boxing, he has to come to the NBB of C to be duly licensed as a pro boxer.”

Mr. Aboderin firmly asserted that the NBF lacks any legal authority over professional boxing within the country. “The NBF does not have any legal standing to come into pro boxing. The NBF is an amateur arm of the Ministry of Sport, to regulate amateur boxing in Nigeria and not pro-boxing,” he stated.

Further escalating the tensions, Mr. Aboderin also alleged that intimidation tactics, including police involvement, are being employed in the ongoing dispute.

The NBB of C, established in 1949, holds the responsibility for the licensing, sanctioning, and overall governance of professional boxing in Nigeria. In contrast, the NBF traditionally oversees amateur boxing and the country’s participation in international competitions.

This structure mirrors that found in other nations, such as the British Boxing Board of Control’s role in governing professional boxing in the UK.