NOC President Gumel Introduces Policy to Protect Athletes from Abuse

Engineer Habu Gumel, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), introduced the Nigeria Safeguarding Sports Policy at its official unveiling in Abuja on Tuesday. The policy is described as a landmark framework aimed at protecting athletes and other sports participants from abuse, harassment, discrimination, and exploitation, according to Completesports.com.

During the ceremony, Gumel stated that the policy aligns with global best practices and the principles of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He emphasized that every athlete has the right to train and compete in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.

“Nigeria’s Safeguarding in Sports Policy is a formal declaration of a zero‑tolerance stance against all forms of abuse and misconduct in sports,” Gumel said. “It establishes clear standards, reporting mechanisms and accountability structures for all stakeholders, from grassroots programmes to elite national teams.”

He urged national sports federations to adopt and implement the policy, appoint safeguarding officers, and strengthen education and awareness programmes. “The welfare, dignity and well‑being of athletes, particularly children, female athletes and persons with disabilities, must remain at the centre of sports development in Nigeria,” the NOC President added.

In his keynote address, Dr. Olajide Adebola, Chairman of the NOC Safeguarding Commission, explained that safeguarding extends beyond physical safety to include protection from psychological, sexual, and emotional abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

“People should be able to speak up about harassment in sports, abuse in sports, neglect in sports and exploitation in sports,” Adebola warned. He noted that many victims suffer long‑term psychological and mental health consequences that can affect performance, well‑being, and life beyond sports.

He highlighted that safeguarding concerns often stem from power imbalances between athletes and officials, coaches, or administrators. Verbal humiliation, intimidation, sexual misconduct, neglect of athletes’ welfare, and even non‑payment of allowances can constitute safeguarding violations.

The policy introduces confidential reporting channels, investigation procedures, and sanctions for offenders while promoting preventive measures such as training, background checks, and the appointment of safeguarding officers at sporting events.

“A safeguarding failure is a leadership failure,” Adebola declared. “Today, the NOC leadership has demonstrated leadership to ensure that we can prevent harm.”

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He also revealed that preliminary findings from a safeguarding assessment conducted during the recent National Sports Festival indicated that abuse, neglect, and harassment remain prevalent within parts of Nigeria’s sporting ecosystem.

Dara Kolo Shinaba Mohammed, Assistant Commander General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and representative of NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), linked safeguarding efforts to the fight against drug abuse among young people and athletes.

Mohammed described the policy launch as “a declaration of collective responsibility” and a commitment to protecting athletes, officials, women, children, and other vulnerable persons from abuse, exploitation, harassment, discrimination, bullying, and substance abuse.

Referencing data from a national drug use survey, he warned that drug abuse remains a major threat to Nigeria’s youth population and called for greater investment in sports as a tool for prevention, character development, and social inclusion.

“Sports is both a school and a skill,” he said. “It teaches discipline, perseverance, teamwork, respect, resilience, healthy competition and excellence.”

The NDLEA official pledged the agency’s support for implementing the safeguarding policy through awareness campaigns, preventive education, youth engagement initiatives, and collaborative programmes aimed at protecting athletes from harmful influences.

A major highlight of the event was the formal adoption of the safeguarding policy by several national sports federations.

By Richard Jideaka Abuja