The International Judo Federation (IJF) has officially welcomed the strategic measures undertaken by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to address governance challenges within the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), pledging its full support for a transparent, fair, and inclusive electoral process.
In an official letter dated October 9, 2026, and addressed to the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, the IJF acknowledged receipt of the Commission’s communication regarding the administrative status of the NJF. The global body took formal note of the dissolution of the previous NJF Board, the establishment of a transitional Caretaker Committee, and the roadmap established to conduct fresh elections.
Signed by IJF Secretary General, Dr. Lisa Allan, the letter affirmed the Caretaker Committee’s mandate to amend the NJF Constitution and convene an electoral General Assembly. The IJF also commended the commitment made by members of the Caretaker Committee not to contest in the upcoming elections, ensuring impartiality.
Expressing confidence that the transitional process will align with international standards, Dr. Lisa Allan stated:
“We welcome the steps being taken to address the governance matters within the NJF and support the efforts to ensure a transparent, fair and inclusive electoral process.”
This endorsement marks a critical milestone in the NSC’s broader drive to restore administrative stability, strengthen institutional governance, and establish a credible framework for an elected board to lead Nigerian judo forward.
Under the guidance of the NSC, the newly constituted Caretaker Committee is tasked with managing daily operations, aligning the federation’s constitution with IJF regulations, convening an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to ratify the amended constitution, and organizing democratic elections.
The Caretaker Committee is chaired by Sheriff Hammad, with Ekuta Catherine Ewa, Sule Musa, Bashir Musa Bassey, and Oladipupo Idowu serving as members. Amayo Ngozi serves as the committee’s secretary.
This transitional arrangement ensures seamless continuity in judo administration while embedding transparency and accountability. The NSC remains committed to enforcing good governance across all national sports federations in alignment with international best practices and Nigeria’s sports development goals.
Signed
Director of Press & Public Relations
National Sports Commission
