NSC Launches Integrity Unit To Combat Misconduct

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has finalised plans to establish an Integrity Unit as part of its ongoing reforms, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading global sports nation.

Following the recent Council of Sports meeting in Calabar, where several decisions were made to revitalise Nigeria’s sports development drive, the NSC has promptly initiated action with the establishment of its Integrity Unit (IU).

Having secured approval from the National Council of Sports to criminalise and institutionalise sanctions against age falsification in Nigerian sports, the NSC in a statement made available to journalists yesterday by Kola Daniel, SA media, office of the Director General, has now taken a further step to create a more structured approach to its fight against ethical misconduct in sports with its IU department.

Hon. Bukola Olopade, the director-general of the NSC, stated that the Integrity Unit will collaborate closely with all Sports Federations, the anti-doping unit, athletes, and the Elite and Podium board.

“The Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and I are deeply committed to institutionalising this reform because it will resolve many of the long-standing problems Nigeria has faced in international sports,” he explained.

“The Integrity Unit will ensure Nigeria consistently adheres to global best practices regarding the calibre of athletes we present for international competitions, in terms of both age integrity and doping conduct.”

“As a top sporting country with a rich history in major international sporting competitions, we aim to establish a very strong foundation for our integrity profile in the eyes of international sports organisations,” he added.

He further noted that the establishment of the Integrity Unit is a fundamental component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’ for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE)’ agenda.