The Senate House of Assembly on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill aimed at prohibiting Nigerian athletes from consuming performance-enhancing substances during or after sporting competitions.
The President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had requested the enactment of this law last week through a letter read on the Senate floor by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary session.
The bill, titled the “National Anti-Doping Bill 2024,” seeks to domesticate and enforce the international convention against doping in sports within Nigeria, particularly ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in France. It also aims to establish the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre to fulfill Nigeria’s obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code under international standards.
In his lead debate, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele explained that the proposed legislation, once signed by President Tinubu, would facilitate the establishment of an independent body responsible for implementing the World Anti-Doping Code and international standards to which Nigeria subscribes. Bamidele emphasized that the bill would protect athletes’ rights to participate in doping-free sports, promote fair and equal treatment of all athletes, and safeguard their health.
Bamidele stated, “It will coordinate and harmonize effective sports anti-doping programs at both national and international levels, focusing on detection, deterrence, and prevention of doping. It will also provide measures for the prevention and control of doping in sports.”
He further noted that the UNESCO Convention had established an interim arrangement in October 2011, creating the National Anti-Doping Committee. However, without legal backing or legislation, the committee’s operations and objectivity remained weak and unattainable. This prompted the current administration to introduce the bill due to its strategic importance and in recognition of Nigeria’s passion for sports.
“The country has numerous sports enthusiasts who view sports as a unifying force,” Bamidele added. “Therefore, it is imperative that the Senate aligns itself with the Executive’s reasoning, as this bill seeks to improve and ensure fair play in the sporting environment.”
Senators expressed their support for the bill and approved its second reading through a voice vote called by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpabio subsequently referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports for further legislative work.
