Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Mainassara Illo has warned that doping causes lasting physical harm to athletes and threatens the financial backing of sports in the country. Illo spoke in Warri, Delta State, on the sidelines of a media inspection tour of the Warri City Stadium, which is being remodelled by Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited. He emphasized that the federal government is finalising the operational structures of the agency following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
According to Illo, the NADC’s primary mission is to build a clean-sport culture, protect young talent and ensure Nigeria complies with global standards. He recalled meeting former elite athletes from the 1990s who now suffer serious health problems due to doping. Illo mentioned that he met with former formidable Olympian Yusuf Alli, who held the African long jump record at 8.27 metres, and saw some of the people he competed against in the 1990s, most of whom were unable to walk or stand straight.
Illo stressed that the health of the athlete is very important, as well as fairness to the playing rules and regulations, and the integrity of the person, organisation, and nation. He noted that doping not only affects the athlete's health but also undermines the integrity of sports. Illo's comments highlight the risks associated with doping and the need for athletes to adhere to clean sport practices.
The NADC boss also warned of the commercial risk doping poses to sport, citing the scale of global tournaments. He mentioned that sponsors play a crucial role in funding sports and that if they discover that athletes are using performance-enhancing substances, they will stop putting their money into sports. Illo cited the example of FIFA, which garnered between $11 billion and $13 billion from the 2026 World Cup alone, largely from sponsors.
Illo commended the ongoing infrastructure upgrades at the Warri City Stadium and urged contractors nationwide to maintain uncompromising standards to safeguard athletes and the national interest. He invited sports administrators and stakeholders to visit the NADC headquarters in Abuja to help rid Nigerian sport of performance-enhancing substances and methods.
The NADC is working to create a culture of clean sport in Nigeria, and Illo's warnings are part of a broader effort to educate athletes and stakeholders about the risks of doping. By engaging with athletes, administrators, and sponsors, the NADC aims to promote fair play and protect the health and integrity of athletes.
Illo's comments serve as a reminder to athletes and sports stakeholders of the importance of clean sport practices. The NADC will continue to work to prevent doping and promote a culture of fair play in Nigerian sports, and Illo has invited all stakeholders to support the effort to protect the nation's athletes and sports integrity.
Key points
- Doping causes lasting physical harm to athletes and threatens the financial backing of sports in Nigeria.
- The NADC is working to create a culture of clean sport in Nigeria and promote fair play.
- The commercial risks of doping pose a significant threat to sports funding in Nigeria.
