By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, has unveiled the Nigeria Safeguarding in Sports Policy, describing it as a landmark framework aimed at protecting athletes and all participants in sports from abuse, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, neglect, and other forms of misconduct.
Speaking at the official launch in Abuja on Tuesday, Gumel said the policy aligns with International Olympic Committee (IOC) principles and global best practices, emphasizing that every athlete deserves to train and compete in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.
He described the policy as a formal declaration of zero tolerance for abuse in sports, establishing clear standards, reporting mechanisms, and accountability structures for stakeholders from grassroots programmes to elite national teams.
Gumel urged national sports federations to adopt and implement the policy, appoint safeguarding officers, and strengthen education and awareness initiatives.
He stressed that the welfare and dignity of athletes—particularly children, women, and persons with disabilities—must remain central to sports development in Nigeria.
Chairman of the NOC Safeguarding Commission, Dr. Olajide Adebola, said safeguarding goes beyond physical safety to include protection from psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation.
According to him, many safeguarding issues stem from power imbalances between athletes and coaches, officials, or administrators. He noted that verbal humiliation, intimidation, sexual misconduct, neglect of athletes’ welfare, and even the non-payment of allowances can amount to safeguarding violations.
Adebola explained that the policy introduces confidential reporting channels, investigation procedures, sanctions for offenders, and preventive measures such as training, background checks, and the appointment of safeguarding officers at sporting events.
He also disclosed that preliminary findings from a safeguarding assessment conducted during the recent National Sports Festival revealed that abuse, neglect, and harassment remain prevalent in parts of Nigeria’s sporting ecosystem, underscoring the need to empower athletes to report misconduct without fear of victimisation.
Representing NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Assistant Commander General, Dara Kolo-Shinaba, Mohammed linked safeguarding efforts with the fight against drug abuse among young people and athletes.
He described the policy launch as a declaration of collective responsibility to protect athletes, officials, women, children, and other vulnerable persons from abuse, exploitation, bullying, discrimination, and substance abuse.
Mohammed called for greater investment in sports as a tool for prevention, character development, and social inclusion, pledging the NDLEA’s support through awareness campaigns, preventive education, and youth engagement programmes.
A major highlight of the event was the formal adoption of the safeguarding policy by several national sports federations, including the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Nigeria Netball Federation, and Nigeria Teqball Federation.
Stakeholders hailed the policy as a significant step toward strengthening athlete welfare, promoting integrity in sports, and aligning Nigeria with international safeguarding standards.
They expressed confidence that its implementation would foster safer sporting environments and enable athletes to pursue excellence free from fear, abuse, and exploitation.
