Edun convenes emergency meeting over NBF, NBBofC crisis

The President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, who is also the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has summoned an emergency board meeting in Abuja to address the ongoing impasse between the federation and the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), The PUNCH reports.

Edun is stepping in to resolve the crisis that has plagued Nigerian boxing over the past three months. The NBF board is expected to meet with him to consolidate its position before engaging the NBBofC and other stakeholders in a bid to restore harmony to the sport.

The PUNCH gathered from sources within the NBF that the minister has been inundated with concerns over the dispute and is determined to bring it to an end.

“I think the minister is not pleased with what is happening in boxing, especially the ongoing impasse between some NBF board members and the NBBofC. This is not good for the image of the sport, and he has decided to summon an emergency meeting with the NBF before meeting the NBBofC and other stakeholders. The aim is to end the crisis and restore stability to the sport across the country,” a source said.

The crisis is largely driven by the NBF’s move to establish a Professional Boxing Commission and assume regulatory control of the sport, a proposal firmly rejected by the NBBofC and one that has prompted calls for the National Sports Commission to intervene.

The NBF had earlier announced the creation of the commission, with dedicated directorates covering licensing, medical and safety, officiating, matchmaking, sanctioning, anti-doping, integrity, and disciplinary control, describing it as a historic turning point for Nigerian boxing.

Ahead of the proposed meeting, stakeholders have also expressed frustration over efforts to resolve the crisis.

NBF pro committee board member and former Vice President, Azania Omo-Agege, told The PUNCH, “I have not heard anything about a meeting, but I don’t think any meeting is necessary to solve the issue at hand. The NBF board has held several meetings.

“We have been in discussions with the NBBofC President, Rafiu Oladipo, and we want to clarify that we are not trying to take over professional boxing in Nigeria; we are only seeking to establish a regulatory body.”

However, NBBofC Secretary-General Remi Aboderin confirmed that he had heard about the proposed meeting.

“Yes, I understand that he (Edun) intends to meet with us. The minister’s personal assistant mentioned it to me, but a date has not yet been fixed. I cannot say if it will resolve the issues at hand, but we will see what comes out of it,” he said.

The Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee also weighed in on the situation, supporting the separation of amateur and professional boxing structures based on its experience.

Chairman of the committee, Samir Captan, explained that Ghana operates a dual system, where amateur boxing is managed by the federation with government support, while professional boxing is overseen by a private body. He noted that this model has helped maintain focus in both areas of the sport.

“Amateur boxing focuses on talent development and national representation, while professional boxing emphasises commercial competition and entertainment. Having separate governing bodies allows for more effective policies and accountability tailored to each arm of the sport,” he said.

He advised Nigeria to preserve the independence of both systems, noting that the approach has ensured a balance between government backing and private sector involvement in Ghana.