Jane Salihu
The Senate Committee on Sports Development has intensified its oversight of the National Sports Commission, demanding its financial records for the past four years after the leadership of the agency failed to honour its invitation.
The committee, chaired by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), described the absence of the Chairman and the Director-General of the commission as a grave disregard for the constitutional oversight function of the National Assembly.
Speaking at the committee’s meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, Ningi said separate invitations were extended to both officials to avoid any confusion over who was expected to appear, noting that the excuses tendered by the commission were unacceptable.
He warned that persistent failure by heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to honour invitations by the Senate would attract sanctions, adding that such conduct undermines transparency and accountability in governance.
The committee unanimously adopted the position of its chairman and resolved that the leadership of the NSC must appear before it in person to account for the finances and operations of the agency.
As part of its investigation, the panel directed the NSC to submit its approved budgets for 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, as well as details of actual releases within the period.
The lawmakers also demanded records of funds disbursed to all national sports federations, including football, basketball, volleyball, boxing, judo and hockey, and evidence of statutory subventions from the Federal Government to the federations.
To independently verify the commission’s claims, the committee further directed its clerk to write to the Accountant-General of the Federation for details of all funds released to the NSC from 2023 till date.
Ningi said the commission would be notified of a new date to appear before the committee, stressing that its leadership must account for public funds allocated to sports development in the country.
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