NJF crisis takes a twist as Oshodi board rejects caretaker committee

...Insist that neither the IJF nor the NSC has dissolved its board

By Maxwell Kumoye

 

The leadership crisis rocking the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) has taken another twist, with the board led by Dr. Musa Oshodi dismisses reports of its dissolution and insists it remains the legitimate governing body of the federation.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 9, 2026, the NJF described reports that the National Sports Commission (NSC) had dissolved its board and approved a caretaker committee as fake news.

The federation accused Mrs. Ngozi Amayo and her associates are spreading the information, alleging that they were attempting to take control of the federation.

The NJF further claimed that Amayo had previously been dismissed by its board over alleged financial misappropriation and attempts to run the federation as her personal property. 

Insisting that neither the International Judo Federation (IJF) nor the NSC had dissolved its board, the federation maintained that Oshodi's leadership remained in charge.

The board also cited correspondence from the IJF dated September 18, 2026, which it said approved its draft amended constitution and directed the federation to convene a General Assembly to ratify the document.

According to the NJF, the assembly will pave the way for fresh elections scheduled for November, in line with the IJF's directives.

The federation has fixed its General Assembly for October 12 to 14, with the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 13. It also announced that the venue had been moved from Abuja to Ibadan, Oyo State.

The meeting is expected to approve the revised constitution and determine the composition of the electoral committee and the date for the forthcoming elections.

In defending its position, the Oshodi-led board argued that dissolving an elected federation board and installing a caretaker committee would violate provisions of the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Charter, the IJF Statutes and the NJF Constitution.

It also cited Section 16(2) of the NSC Establishment Act 2023, arguing that presidential approval would be required for the commission to dissolve a federation's board.

The federation insisted that no such approval had been sought or obtained, describing any purported dissolution as null and void.

The latest statement adds another layer to the uncertainty surrounding the administration of Nigerian judo, with the federation urging athletes, state associations and other stakeholders to remain calm while it works with the IJF.

The dispute comes at a critical time for Nigerian judo, with the federation's planned November elections expected to determine its next leadership.