Something appears to be seriously wrong in Nigeria’s sports sector. Almost every day, new negative reports targeting Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, the two leading figures at the National Sports Commission (NSC), make the rounds.
The frequency and nature of these reports raise questions about whether this is simply legitimate criticism or a deliberate campaign to discredit the NSC leadership. That comes the questions: Who and who are behind it, and what are they hoping to achieve?
Coming across another story yesterday’s morning, titled “₦670.69m Audit Queries: Stakeholders Seek Clarification from NSC Over 2023 Financial Transactions,” writing again by Sunday Agunbiade, popularly known as Mr VAR, I am beginning to wonder whether something is going on, whether driven by genuine concerns or other interests.
My concern is simple. Considering today’s date, November 3, 2026, and the fact that the financial transactions under scrutiny relate to 2023, one would naturally ask why these issues are gaining such prominence now. And why not then?
The central question is not whether the NSC should answer audit queries. It absolutely should.
The question is whether the 2023 transactions are being presented in a way that creates an impression of wrongdoing by a leadership that assumed office in 2024. That distinction should not be lost in the debate.
What surprised me most was the source of the information and the stakeholders that are always behind it.
According to the writer, the stakeholders whose meeting point and the real identity is not yet unfolded, relied on a report published by Secrets Reporters on October 23, 2026, which reportedly highlighted five audit observations involving government payment procedures, procurement processes, expenditure documentation and the proper recording of purchased items.
This raises another important question: If the audit observations concern transactions carried out in the 2023 financial year, why are they now being presented in a manner that appears to put the current NSC leadership under scrutiny?
There is nothing wrong with investigative journalism or demands for accountability. However, readers deserve proper context, particularly regarding the stakeholders meeting point and their real identity.
I have never been comfortable with the popular saying that fighting corruption is difficult because corruption will fight back.
But recent developments in Nigerian sports are making me wonder whether we are witnessing a version of that reaction.
The removal of Ibrahim Gusau, the former NFF President, and his team may have unsettled certain interests.
Could some of those interests now be fighting back through media reports and other channels to discredit the present NSC leadership?
I am not making a definitive accusation, but the frequency, timing and nature of these reports raise legitimate questions that deserve answers.
My advice to Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade is simple: convene an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to address this emerging situation.
Examine the reports, establish the facts and communicate the Commission’s position clearly.
They should not allow legitimate demands for accountability to be confused with attempts to undermine their leadership.
Equally, they should not dismiss genuine audit concerns as political attacks.
Dikko and Olopade should also make efforts to identify these stakeholders, understand their concerns, establish their points of convergence and determine what they actually want from the Commission.
If these stakeholders have genuine concerns, they should be willing to identify themselves publicly and explain their positions.
A press conference would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to know who they are and understand the issues they are raising.
On his part, the writer of the report would have served the principles of balanced journalism better by approaching the Commission for its response before publication.
Since that opportunity was apparently not taken, the NSC should promptly clarify the issues through an official statement or press conference.
Finally, I believe Nigerians, particularly sports stakeholders, should also recognise the role Dikko and Olopade have played in efforts to reclaim Nigerian football from the grip of vested interests and return the NFF to Nigerians.
They deserve constructive criticism where necessary, but they should also be given a fair hearing.
Accountability must be demanded, but fairness must not be sacrificed. Nigerian sports needs transparency, not a battle of competing interests.
As I have consistently maintained, Dikko and Olopade should be celebrated and applauded for their efforts rather than subjected to relentless blackmail and what appears to be a sustained campaign of sponsored attacks.
