The Nigeria Olympic Committee has unveiled a national safeguarding policy for sports and directed all national sports federations to domesticate and implement the framework to protect athletes from abuse, harassment, discrimination and exploitation.
Speaking at the official launch of the Nigeria Safeguarding in Sports Policy in Abuja on Tuesday, NOC President, Habu Gumel said the policy was designed to ensure that athletes compete and develop in a safe environment while aligning Nigeria’s sports sector with international best practices.
Gumel said the policy followed the inauguration of the NOC Safeguarding Commission in February 2025 and a series of awareness campaigns targeted at athletes, coaches and sports administrators across the country.
He noted that engagements conducted during the National Sports Festival reinforced the need to protect athletes and preserve the integrity of sports.
“In February 2025, the Nigeria Olympic Committee, in alignment with international best practices and the values of the Olympic movement, inaugurated its Safeguarding Commission. Since then, the Commission has undertaken significant advocacy and awareness campaigns aimed at embedding a culture of safety, respect, and protection across the sporting landscape.
“One of its most impactful initiatives was conducted during the National Sports Festival, where members of the Commission engaged directly with athletes, coaches, and technical officials.
“These interactions reaffirmed an important truth: the integrity of sport rests not only on fair play and competition, but also on the fundamental right of every participant to train, compete and develop in an environment free from harassment, abuse, discrimination and exploitation,” Gumel stated.
According to him, the policy is fully aligned with the International Olympic Committee’s consensus statement on harassment and abuse in sport and the principles of the Olympic Charter.
“Nigeria’s Safeguarding in Sports Policy is a formal expression of a zero-tolerance stance against all forms of abuse and misconduct in sport. It establishes clear standards, reporting mechanisms and accountability structures for all stakeholders, from grassroots programmes to elite national teams,” he said.
Gumel added that the framework pays special attention to vulnerable groups, including children, female athletes and persons with disabilities.
“Importantly, this policy recognises the unique vulnerabilities of children, female athletes and persons with disabilities while affirming the rights of every participant, regardless of age, gender, ability or status, to be protected and treated with dignity and respect,” he said.
The NOC president urged all national sports federations to adopt the policy and appoint safeguarding officers to ensure compliance.
“I call upon all National Sports Federations to domesticate and implement this policy within their respective organisations and to designate qualified safeguarding officers to oversee compliance and education in their courts,” he said.
He also encouraged coaches, administrators and technical officials to undergo safeguarding training, noting that the IOC had made provisions to support capacity development.
“The IOC has budgeted resources for the training of safeguarding officers. Any federation with candidates that need to be trained should get in touch with us so that we can facilitate approvals and scholarships for such training,” Gumel added.
Chairman of the NOC Safeguarding Commission, Adebola Olajide, described safeguarding as critical to the well-being of athletes and the overall development of sports in Nigeria.
“The policy exists to protect the entire sports ecosystem. It protects athletes, coaches, officials and administrators by clearly defining responsibilities and reporting channels,” Olajide said.
He explained that the framework addresses psychological abuse, sexual harassment, neglect, bullying and other forms of misconduct that could affect athletes’ welfare and performance.
“Safeguarding improves performance because athletes can participate in sport without fear. It allows them to focus on their long-term development, knowing they have the support and protection of the system around them,” he said.
Olajide stressed that the policy would apply throughout an athlete’s career and across all levels of sport, including grassroots, club, national and international competitions.
He further emphasised the need for proper supervision of minors, insurance coverage for athletes and mandatory screening of individuals entrusted with the care of young athletes.
“There must be adequate protection for athletes. Minors should not travel without appropriate supervision and consent, and those responsible for them must be properly screened,” he said.
The safeguarding policy establishes procedures for prevention, reporting and response to abuse cases and is expected to guide sports organisations across the country in creating safer sporting environments.
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