Ado Salisu
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mr. Bukola Olopade, has come under fire following a threat of legal action against Channels Television and sports development advocate, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, over recent public comments concerning his role in the commission.
Hon. Gara Gombe, founder of the Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiative, an NGO committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in sports, raised serious concerns over the conduct of Mr. Olopade since his appointment as NSC DG.
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In a press statement issued in Abuja, Hon. Gara Gombe accused Mr. Olopade of intimidating and harassing media houses, particularly Channels TV, over an interview aired on the station’s Lunch Time programme on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
During the programme, Hon. Gara Gombe alleged that the NSC DG is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a claim which reportedly prompted Olopade to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the station, demanding the withdrawal of the interview and an apology or face litigation.
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“Bukola Olopade should stop grandstanding, bullying, and harassing media houses when truths about happenings in our sports sector are revealed,”
He further alleged that Mr. Olopade has continued to operate as Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Marketing Company even after assuming public office as DG of NSC—contrary to public service regulations and procurement laws.
“The records are clear. Certified True Copies from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) confirm that he remains a director at Nilayo Sports. Despite being in public service, he actively promotes Nilayo Sports, including during the Enugu State-hosted National Sports Festival and another event in Ogun State.”
According to Gara Gombe, Mr. Olopade is under EFCC investigation alongside Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and Rita Mosindi, over a sponsorship deal with Premium Trust Bank.
The matter, he noted, is currently before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and is expected to come up in September.
“Instead of addressing these serious issues, he is resorting to threats. I will not apologise to Mr. Olopade. We’ll meet in court,” Gara Gombe declared.
He also disclosed that his organization will soon release full records of marathons and long-distance races organized by Nilayo Sports, noting that many athletes both local and international remain unpaid for their participation.
“We gave a nine-day ultimatum that any marathon organiser who failed to pay athletes within two weeks would face litigation. Olopade hurriedly paid part of the athletes, but the majority are still waiting.”
The NGO reaffirmed its commitment to defending free speech and ensuring accountability within Nigeria’s sports sector.