Nigerian Army, Anti-Doping Centre Deepen Partnership to Protect Sports Integrity
The Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) have strengthened their partnership to promote clean sport, protect athletes and safeguard Nigeria’s sporting integrity and international reputation.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, stated this on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, when the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NADC, Mr Mainasara Illo, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Shaibu said sustained collaboration with the anti-doping authorities was critical to ensuring that military athletes remained compliant with national and international sporting standards.
He stressed the importance of early anti-doping education, regular screening and effective institutional oversight, particularly at the formative stages of athletes’ careers.
According to him, adequate sensitisation would help prevent both deliberate and inadvertent violations arising from the use of prohibited substances, including substances that could be contained in unverified medications, dietary supplements and local remedies.
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The COAS assured the NADC of the Nigerian Army’s readiness to support joint anti-doping education, sensitisation and capacity-building programmes.
He also offered the Army’s physical training platforms for relevant seminars and awareness programmes, noting that a preventive approach would better equip athletes and their support personnel to make informed decisions regarding medication, nutrition, supplements and performance enhancement.
Shaibu said such measures would not only protect athletes from avoidable sanctions but also safeguard their health and careers while reinforcing discipline and preserving Nigeria’s reputation at national and international competitions.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to developing disciplined, resilient and globally competitive athletes capable of representing the Service and Nigeria with distinction.
Earlier, Illo commended the Nigerian Army for its longstanding contributions to national sports, institutional discipline and national defence.
He explained that the NADC is responsible for promoting clean sport and strengthening compliance with anti-doping standards across Nigeria, while maintaining technical alignment with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The engagement underscores the growing emphasis on preventive anti-doping measures within Nigeria’s sporting ecosystem, with particular attention to education, athlete welfare and institutional responsibility.
