Following the recent dissolution of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) board by the International Judo Federation (IJF), the National Sports Commission (NSC) has moved swiftly to stabilize the sport by constituting a six-member Caretaker Committee. Backed by Section 16 of the NSC Act 2023. This strategic intervention is designed to steer the Federation through a crucial transitional period and pave the way for fresh elections.
Taking immediate effect, the transition committee has been instituted to oversee the affairs of the Federation until a new board is democratically elected. The committee will be chaired by Sheriff Hammed, with Amayo Ngozi serving as the Secretary. Other appointed members of the administrative body include Ekuta Catherine Ewa, Sule Musa, Bashir Musa Bassey, and Oladipupo Idowu.
The NSC has mandated the committee to manage the day-to-day administration of the NJF while executing crucial reforms needed to place the sport on a solid administrative foundation.
Central to their mandate is the immediate amendment of the Federation’s constitution to align perfectly with the statutory provisions demanded by the International Judo Federation(IJF).
The committee is responsible for convening an Annual General Meeting to secure approval for the amended constitution and subsequently organizing transparent elections.
To ensure a seamless transition of power, the NSC has strongly charged the Caretaker Committee to execute its duties with the utmost diligence, transparency, and impartiality. The NSC emphasized that the overall interest and development of judo in Nigeria must be placed above all personal or political considerations.
The committee is expected to collaborate extensively with all relevant stakeholders in the judo ecosystem to maintain stability and foster growth. Their appointment will remain effective until the electoral process is successfully concluded with a substantive and duly elected board assumes office.
