Abuja, Aug. 7, 2025 – The Founder of the Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiative, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has challenged the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, to provide evidence of his performance and leadership since assuming office.
The NGO, which advocates transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigerian sports, expressed concern over Olopade’s alleged threat of legal action against Channels Television and its presenters.
The threats were reportedly issued if the station failed to retract an interview featuring Hon. Gara Gombe.
In a press statement signed by Hon. Gara Gombe in Abuja on Thursday (today), he accused Olopade of abusing his position by continuing to serve as Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Marketing Company even after being appointed NSC DG.
According to Gara Gombe, official records from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) confirm that Olopade remains a Director at Nilayo Sports and continues to promote the company, including during activities such as the National Sports Festival in Enugu State and an event in Ogun State—all while serving as the NSC DG.
The statement reads in part: “Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission, should stop grandstanding and intimidating media houses when issues concerning sports administration in Nigeria are brought to light.
“I was recently invited by Channels Television to speak on the state of sports development in Nigeria during their programme ‘Lunch Time’ on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
“During the show, I mentioned that Olopade is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Following the broadcast, he sent threatening messages to Channels TV presenters, demanding that the interview be withdrawn within 48 hours and an apology issued, or else he would institute legal action against both myself and the station.
“Let it be known that Bukola Olopade is indeed under investigation by the EFCC and has failed to honour their invitations.
“He has also not resigned from his role as MD of Nilayo Sports Marketing Company, which he owns and continues to promote in contravention of the Public Service Rules and the Procurement Act.
“Furthermore, he is being investigated alongside Tonobok Okowa (AFN President) and Rita Mosindi over the Premium Trust Bank sponsorship deal. The matter is currently before Justice Binta Nyako at the Federal High Court in Abuja, scheduled to continue in September.
“We intend to publish detailed records of all marathon and long-distance events Olopade has organised as MD of Nilayo Sports Marketing Company. We earlier issued a 9-day ultimatum for marathon organisers to pay outstanding entitlements to participating athletes.
“In response, Olopade made partial payments but has yet to settle the full amounts owed to many local and international athletes.This is someone who now seeks to bully media outlets with legal threats. Let it be clear—I will not apologise to Olopade. We will meet in court.”
