The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced a fresh reshuffle of General Secretaries across eight national sports federations, in a move aimed at strengthening administration, improving operational efficiency and deploying professional expertise more strategically.

The Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, announced the changes during a meeting with federation General Secretaries in Abuja on Thursday, October 8, 2026. 

The redeployment affects the Athletics, Padel, Basketball, Rowing, Shooting, Karate, Fencing and Arm Wrestling federations.

Olopade said the exercise was intended to improve the administration and operations of the affected federations in line with the Federal Government’s sports development agenda.

He also moved to clarify that the changes should not be interpreted as dismissals or disciplinary measures against the officials involved.

“Let me be clear that no secretary is being removed because he or she has been sacked. They are only being posted to another federation to carry out another assignment,” Olopade said. 

The NSC Director-General commended the secretaries for their professionalism, commitment and sacrifices towards Nigerian sports, as well as their support for the commission’s current leadership under Chairman Shehu Dikko.

He described federation secretaries as the lifeline of sports administration, noting that their work is central to the commission’s statutory responsibility to regulate and develop sports in the country. 

Under the new arrangement, Bunmi Oluode becomes Secretary-General of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, replacing Israel Inwang, who has been redeployed to the Padel Federation.

At the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Rita Mosindi has been appointed Acting Secretary-General, while Amina Amanchi, who previously held the position, moves to the Rowing Federation.

Tosin Samuel has been assigned as Secretary-General of the Shooting Federation, while Tinuoso Dolapo takes over the secretariat of the Karate Federation.

Javan Bennard has been posted to the Fencing Federation as Secretary-General, while Dorothy Okpo becomes Secretary-General of the Arm Wrestling Federation.

The changes represent another administrative intervention by the NSC as it seeks to improve the effectiveness of national sports federations and strengthen the structures responsible for implementing their programmes.

Federation secretariats play an important role in coordinating national competitions, supporting athletes and coaches, managing correspondence with international governing bodies, processing documentation and organising preparations for major events.

Their effectiveness can therefore influence competition planning, athlete welfare, compliance with international requirements and the overall delivery of federation programmes.

The latest reshuffle follows an earlier exercise in January 2025, when the NSC reassigned 57 secretaries-general and five other officers across national sports federations as part of a wider effort to revitalise the sector and improve its capacity to attract private and corporate investment. 

The commission has continued to emphasise administrative efficiency and good governance as essential elements of its broader strategy to position sports as a contributor to national development and economic growth.

For the affected federations, the immediate task will be to ensure continuity during the transition while translating the new postings into improved coordination and service delivery.

The Athletics Federation, for instance, must continue coordinating athletes and national teams across track and field disciplines, while basketball, rowing, shooting, karate, fencing, arm wrestling and padel each have distinct competition calendars and development needs.

The NSC has not announced any disciplinary findings against the redeployed officials, stressing instead that the exercise is based on the strategic use of their experience and professional expertise.

The success of the reshuffle will ultimately depend on whether the new assignments strengthen administration, improve support for athletes and coaches, and help the federations deliver more effective programmes.

Olopade said the commission believes in the capabilities of its secretaries and expects them to bring their experience to their new responsibilities as part of the continuing effort to strengthen Nigerian sports administration.