SWAN Demands Immediate Inauguration of National Sports Commission Board
By: IDNN Sports Desk
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to immediately inaugurate its 17-member governing board, warning that the delay breaches the NSC Establishment Act 2023 and erodes accountability in Nigerian sports governance.
SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin, in a statement through Secretary-General Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo on Sunday, said the commission has operated without a statutory board since its formation in October 2024, contrary to Section 2(1) of the law.
“Operating without a duly constituted board for nearly a year is not only a breach of the law but also undermines transparency and accountability,” Benjamin said.
The Act mandates that the board include representatives from ministries, sports bodies, the organised private sector, academia, medical fields, the military, persons with disabilities, the Nigeria Football Federation, the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, and SWAN.
Benjamin stressed that major decisions taken since October 2024 lack legal grounding in the absence of the board, likening the current NSC structure to a “two-man entity” of only the Chairman and Director-General.
He linked the delay to wider governance lapses, citing ongoing litigation involving the Nigeria Football Federation and disputes within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
SWAN also criticised the neglect of its role in providing skilled communication managers for sports federations, arguing this undermines promotion and sponsorship potential.
“Ignoring SWAN’s expertise is a missed opportunity to leverage professional sports journalism for national sports growth,” Benjamin added.
The statement reminded stakeholders that President Bola Tinubu approved the creation of the NSC to accelerate sports development beyond bureaucratic bottlenecks, and warned that “political or non-professional approaches” must not derail that vision.
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