President Bola Tinubu has formally addressed the Senate, pressing for the introduction of legislation targeting doping in sports, with the specific aim of safeguarding Nigerian athletes from the dangers posed by performance-enhancing substances, whether ingested prior to or during athletic competitions.
Senator Barau Jibrin, in his role as the Deputy President of the Senate, announced during yesterday’s plenary session that he had read the letter from President Tinubu.
Within the document, functioning as an Executive Bill, lies the draft of the “National Anti-Doping Bill 2024,” aimed at overseeing the permissible usage of substances by athletes in the midst of sporting competitions.
As per the President’s communication, the bill will lay the groundwork for establishing the National Anti-Doping Organisation, tasked with overseeing sporting competitions. Additionally, he elucidated that the formation of this agency is imperative for Nigeria to align with the standards set forth in the World Anti-Doping Code.
Positioned at the nucleus of worldwide anti-doping endeavors, the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) acts as the essential document harmonizing anti-doping policies, regulations, and standards within sports institutions and among public authorities internationally.
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President Tinubu who 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, said, “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.”
The President who specifically urged the lawmakers to consider the bill before the Olympic Games seminar scheduled to be held in Paris in July for Nigerians to be part of the competition, 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 seminar in Paris in July 2024.
“Please accept, distinguished president, the assurances of our highest consideration. Regards.” The president was assured of their utmost esteem and consideration, accompanied by warm regards.