Fan Ndubuoke labels NSC as "Ponzi structure, questions legality of Nigeria's sports administration
Former national president of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Fan Ndubuoke, has criticised the National Sports Commission (NSC), describing it as a “Ponzi structure” and alleging that it lacks a proper legal foundation.
Ndubuoke made the remarks while presenting a paper titled “The Burden of Finding A Balance Between Patriotism and Professionalism” at a special SWAN workshop organised by Imo SWAN in Owerri on Tuesday.
According to him, the NSC operates more as an improvised administrative body than a properly established statutory institution, raising concerns about its legitimacy and accountability.
“The NSC functions more as administrative improvisations than as statutory institutions with clear mandates, defined powers, and enforceable accountability,” he said.
He further accused successive Nigerian governments of repeatedly altering the structure and naming of sports administrative bodies without addressing fundamental legal questions surrounding sports governance.
Ndubuoke also criticised sports journalists for failing to adequately expose irregularities within the sector, describing the situation as one marked by illegality and institutional disorder.
He warned that institutions without clear legal frameworks are easily manipulated, noting that policies often shift with political interests, appointments are influenced by sentiment, and funds are spent without proper oversight.
Describing the system as akin to a Ponzi scheme, Ndubuoke alleged that public funds are concentrated in the hands of a small group of administrators and their allies, while athletes, coaches, and grassroots programmes receive minimal support.
He urged journalists to uphold their responsibility to inform, educate, and entertain, despite the challenges posed by political pressure, ownership interests, restrictive laws, and safety concerns.
“As journalists, we are expected to state facts as they are, without fear or favour. Yet in doing so, a journalist may step on dangerous toes, and commitment to truth may be interpreted as disloyalty,” he said.
Ndubuoke identified political patronage as a key factor behind the decline in creativity in sports journalism, lamenting that many practitioners now prioritise connections and financial gain over professional excellence.
He called on media professionals to recommit to ethical standards and play a more active role in holding institutions accountable in Nigeria’s sports sector.
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