House of Reps Pass Anti-Doping Bill

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, passed the bill seeking to domesticate and enforce the International Convention against Doping in Sports and establish the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre.

The executive bill was presented on the floor of the House of Representatives by the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, after it was read for the third time.

The proposed legislation is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Domesticate and Enforce in Nigeria the International Convention Against Doping
in Sports, establish the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre to implement Nigeria’s obligations to World Anti-Doping Code, International Standards and for Related Matters(HB.1441).”

Ihonvbere had, in his debate on the general principles of the bill (second reading), said it seeks to implement Nigeria’s obligations to the World Anti-doping Code, International Standards.

The majority leader had reminded his colleagues that if the proposed domestication and establishment of the centre are not done before July 26, Nigeria may not participate in the forthcoming Olympics.

“This is a very important bill. It is for the health of sporting activities in Nigeria. We are already a signatory to the Code. Nigeria has been taken to the Court of International Arbitration for Sports for (not) setting up our Anti-doping Centre, which is required of all countries that have signed the Code.

“If we don’t set it up before then (July 26), it means we will not participate in the coming Olympics,” he said.

The bill was subsequently referred to the Committee on Treatise, Agreements and Protocols.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had, in May 2024, transmitted the National Anti-doping Bill, 2024 to the House, seeking its accelerated passage ahead of the Olympic Games slated to begin on July 26, 2024.

Tinubu had, in a letter read at plenary last Thursday, said, “The National Anti-doping Bill, 2024 seeks to create an administrative independent National Ant-doping organisation which is a cardinal requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the world anti-doping code and international standard for code compliance with codes by signatories.

“The enactment of this vital legislation will also help Nigeria avoid the imposition of signatories consequences including loss of hosting rights and participation at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events.”