The National Sports Commission Intervenes in Nigeria’s Boxing Dispute
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has taken a decisive step to resolve the long-standing conflict between the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) and the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC). In a clear and official statement, the NSC has affirmed that the NBBofC is the sole recognized body for sanctioning professional boxing in Nigeria. It also warned that the NBF does not have the authority to assume this role.
In a letter dated March 25, signed by NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, the commission addressed concerns about individuals claiming to act on behalf of the NSC to international boxing organizations. These claims were categorically denied. The letter emphasized that the NSC has not authorized any individual or group to take over the functions of the NBBofC.
“Please, this is not the case, as the National Sports Commission has not approved or empowered anyone or any group of people to take on this role. The Nigerian Boxing Board of Control is the recognized professional sanctioning authority in Nigeria, while the Nigeria Boxing Federation is to adhere to its role of overseeing our amateur programmes,” the letter stated.
This intervention marks the most definitive official response since the dispute began three months ago. The NBF had previously announced the establishment of a Professional Boxing Commission with dedicated directorates covering licensing, medical and safety, officiating, matchmaking, sanctioning, anti-doping, integrity, and disciplinary control. The NBBofC, along with promoters and boxers, rejected the move, arguing that the board has regulated professional boxing independently since 1949.
The NBBofC responded with a statement signed by President Dr. Rafiu Oladipo and Secretary-General Remi Aboderin. They reiterated that the NBF’s mandate is strictly limited to amateur boxing. “We wish to categorically state that such claims are unfounded and should be disregarded. We advise all promoters, managers, and boxers to remain vigilant and not be misled by such insinuations,” the statement read.
Oladipo had previously highlighted the global model of separating amateur and professional boxing, using Britain as an example where England Boxing and the British Boxing Board of Control operate as distinct entities. He noted that the NBBofC has been running professional boxing in Nigeria since 1949, with its first president being Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
However, the NBF maintains that an Act of the National Assembly grants it authority over all forms of boxing in Nigeria. NBF Vice-President Omonlei Imadu described the creation of the commission as “a historic turning point for Nigerian boxing.” Meanwhile, NBF member Azania Omo-Agege accused the NBBofC of a conflict of interest, alleging that the board simultaneously acts as a sanctioning body while managing boxers under terms he described as unfavorable to athletes.
Amid the ongoing impasse, NBF President and Minister of Finance Wale Edun convened an emergency board meeting in Abuja to consolidate the federation’s position before engaging with the NBBofC and other stakeholders. Sources within the NBF told The PUNCH that the minister was not pleased with the damage the crisis was causing to the image of the sport.
Last weekend, Core Afrique Boxing Promotions staged what the NBF described as its first sanctioned professional event in Lagos, featuring a six-bout card at Argon Sports Centre in Ikorodu. However, the NBBofC has not recognized the event as legitimate under its own sanctioning framework.
The dispute has also attracted attention from the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee. Its chairman, Samir Captan, advised Nigeria to preserve the independence of both its amateur and professional structures.
With the NSC’s letter now circulating among international boxing bodies, the commission’s position is expected to complicate any further attempts by the NBF to seek external recognition for its Professional Boxing Commission. This effectively leaves the NBBofC’s authority intact at both the domestic and international levels pending any fresh legal or regulatory challenge.
