The National Sports Commission (NSC) has set up a six-member caretaker committee for the crisis-ridden Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) following the dissolution of the federation’s board by the International Judo Federation (IJF).

The decision, announced yesterday, is the latest development in a prolonged leadership crisis that has raised questions over the federation’s administration, electoral process and international standing.

The NSC said the action was taken pursuant to Section 16 of the NSC Act, 2023, with the caretaker committee serving as a transitional structure pending fresh elections and the inauguration of a new board.

The committee is headed by Sheriff Hammed, while Ekuta Catherine Ewa, Sule Musa, Bashir Musa Bassey and Oladipupo Idowu will serve as members. Amayo Ngozi has been appointed secretary.

The committee’s mandate is to oversee the federation’s day-to-day affairs, amend its constitution to meet requirements set by the IJF, convene a yearly general meeting to consider and approve the amended constitution, and organise fresh elections.

It will also oversee the transition to the newly elected board.

The latest development is a fallout of the prolonged leadership crisis, which has seen stakeholders question the legitimacy of the federation’s leadership and the conduct of its electoral process, eventually drawing the intervention of the IJF.

To arrive at lasting peace, the NSC has charged the caretaker committee to operate transparently, ensure diligence and impartiality, while placing the overall interest and development of judo above competing interests.

The Commission has also directed the committee to work with all relevant stakeholders throughout the transition period.