THE Senate has passed the National Anti-Doping Bill seeking to domesticate the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s convention against doping in sports.
The Upper legislative chamber passed the bill for the third time, after the adoption of a report presented by the Chairman of the Committees on Sports Development and Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters on the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2024, Sen.Kawu Abdulrahman.
The bill, among other things, also seeks to establish the National Anti-Doping Centre to combat doping in sports, in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.
The Code is a core document, that provides the framework for anti-doping policies, rules, and regulations within sports organisations and among public authorities. It is designed to harmonise anti-doping policies and ensure the standards are the same for all athletes.
The executive bill which now makes it incumbent for Nigeria, to domesticate the treaty to tackle the ugly menace of doping amongst sportsmen and women, was read for the second time in May, and has scaled the third reading.
President Bola Tinubu had last month, urged the Senate to review and approve the bill. He argued that it would prohibit athletes from using substances that enhance their performance.
Tinubu’s request was conveyed in a letter read on the floor of the upper legislative chamber by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau.
The president stated that the bill would establish a legal framework for the formation of the National Anti-Doping Organization.
He further emphasised that the establishment of the agency, was essential for Nigeria to meet the standards outlined in the World Anti-Doping Code.
