Senate Passes Bill to Combat Doping in Sports

Senate adopts anti-doping legislation

The National Anti-Doping Bill, which aims to domesticate the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) treaty on doping in sports, was successfully passed by the Nigerian Senate.

Following the acceptance of a report by Senator Kawu Abdulrahman, Chairman of the Committees on Sports Development and Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, the measure was passed for a third reading, marking a significant legislative accomplishment.

The bill's main goal is to create the National Anti-Doping Centre, whose job it will be to combat doping in sports by following the World Anti-Doping Code.

This Code is a foundational document that establishes the guidelines for anti-doping policies, procedures, and directives among governmental authorities and sports organizations globally.

It seeks to uphold sports fairness by making sure that all athletes follow consistent anti-doping guidelines.

The executive law, which mandates that Nigeria domesticate the UNESCO convention, passed its third reading after being successfully read a second time in May.

This legislative move is in line with the ongoing attempts to address doping among Nigerian athletes.

President Bola Tinubu emphasized the significance of the bill's prohibition on athletes using performance-enhancing drugs when he asked the Senate to examine and adopt it last month.

On the floor of the upper legislative chamber, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau read a letter from Tinubu requesting the action.

The President emphasized how important it is to create a legal framework for the National Anti-Doping Organization in order for Nigeria to adhere to the World Anti-Doping Code's requirements.

“In accordance with the provisions of section 58 (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I forward herewith the National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 for the kind consideration of the senate," the letter reads.

“The National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 seeks to create an administratively independent National Anti-Doping organisation, which is a cardinal requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the international standard for code compliance by signatures.

“The enactment of this vital legislation will also help Nigeria avoid the imposition of signatory consequences, the inclusion of laws of hosting and participating rights at regional, continental, and world championships or major athletic events

“It is my hope that this submission will receive the humankind expeditious consideration of the distinguished members of the Senate of Federal Nigeria for passage of the same to law before the Olympic Games seminar in Paris In July 2024,” Tinubu wrote.