Opinion

Time for Uncle JOE to Show Courage and Fight Corruption in Sports

Published

2 years ago

January 2, 2024

By Sylvanus Ofekun

The groanings and the passionate appeals from sports stakeholders to the Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh to act on the AFN’s audit committee to save image of Sports in Nigeria is gathering momentum.

The audit committee which was set up by the executive board of the federation pursuant to article 14.3.3 of the 2023 AFN constitution as amended, to probe the finances of the federation between January and September, 2023 recommended the redeployment of the Secretary General. The audit committee report revealed how the AFN Secretary General carried out expenditures on behalf of the federation without budgets and approvals which is a violation of article 24.1 of the 2023 AFN constitution as amended.

The report also recommended that the Secretary General should refund all monies she spent without approvals and evidence of payments following her refusal to furnish the committee with the necessary documents relating to the expenditures. On AFN President,Tonobok Okowa, the report recommended he should return to the AFN the N40m he took from the sponsorship fee paid by Premium Trust Bank.

Unfortunately, the Minister has maintained a taciturn posture, signaling an endorsement to the reckless adventures by those indicted in the audit report.The Nigeria Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, must show courage in fighting corruption in sports for several compelling reasons.

Firstly, corruption in sports undermines the integrity and fairness of the game. It erodes public trust and confidence in the sports sector and hampers the development of talented athletes. By taking a firm stance against corruption, Senator John Owan Enoh can restore faith in Nigerian sports and ensure that athletes have equal opportunities to excel based on their skills and hard work.

Secondly, corruption in sports diverts valuable resources that could be used for infrastructure development, athlete training, and grassroots programs. Funds meant for the improvement of sports facilities and the development of young talents are often siphoned off by corrupt individuals, leaving Nigerian sports in a state of neglect and underinvestment. Senator Enoh’s commitment to fighting corruption will ensure that these resources are utilized properly, leading to improved facilities, better training programs, and increased sporting achievements.

Furthermore, corruption in sports perpetuates a culture of dishonesty and unethical behavior. It sets a bad example for young athletes who may think that success can be achieved through deceit and cheating. By cracking down on corruption, Senator Enoh can instill a culture of integrity and fair play within the sports community, providing a positive role model for aspiring athletes and fostering a more ethical sports environment.

Additionally, corruption in sports has negative implications for Nigeria’s international reputation. The country’s sporting achievements are often marred by scandals and allegations of corruption, which diminishes its standing in the global sports community. By actively combating corruption, Senator Enoh can restore Nigeria’s credibility and enhance its image as a nation committed to upholding integrity in sports.

Lastly, corruption in sports impacts the livelihoods of athletes and sports professionals. Unscrupulous practices such as match-fixing, bribery, and embezzlement can deprive athletes of the opportunities and rewards they rightfully deserve. Senator Enoh’s efforts to fight corruption will ensure that athletes are fairly compensated for their hard work, talent, and dedication, creating a more equitable and sustainable sports system in Nigeria.

In conclusion, Senator John Owan Enoh must exhibit courage in fighting corruption in sports for the sake of integrity, fairness, development, reputation, and the well-being of athletes. By taking a strong stand against corruption, he can restore public trust, allocate resources effectively, create a culture of integrity, enhance Nigeria’s international standing, and protect the rights of athletes.

It is imperative that Senator Enoh demonstrates the necessary determination and resolve to tackle corruption head-on and usher in a new era of transparency and accountability in Nigerian sports.

sleekysly5@gmail.com                                                                                               .

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Featured

No Need For Separate TIN To Operate Bank Accounts FIRS Official

Published

3 weeks ago

September 15, 2025

The Gleamer

By Aderonke Atoyebi

In recent debates about Nigeria’s tax reforms, a widespread misconception has emerged: that citizens without a Tax Identification Number are unable to own or operate a bank account. This view, while popular in some quarters, is inaccurate.

The reality is that Nigeria’s tax system has evolved to integrate seamlessly with existing national registries, ensuring that every eligible individual or entity is automatically identifiable for tax purposes.

This article clarifies how the new framework works, drawing from the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s implementation of the National Taxpayer Directory under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025).

The Tax Identification Number is a 13-digit unique identifier for all taxable persons and entities in Nigeria. It encodes details such as issuance year, registry source (NIN for individuals, RC for corporates), state of registration, and a cryptographic fragment for security, concluding with a check digit.

The TIN is not a standalone requirement imposed on citizens. Instead, it is a statutory tool that ensures every taxpayer, whether an individual, a registered business, or an association, can be uniquely verified within the national tax system.

Tax ID and the National Identity Management Commission: For individuals, the TIN is automatically linked to their National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission.

When an individual provides their NIN, such as during bank account opening or Know Your Customer processes, the system cross-checks the NIN in the national database. As part of this verification, the TIN is automatically retrieved and attached to the person’s records.

This means citizens do not need to manually apply for or present a tax ID before opening a bank account. The system handles the integration in real time.

Tax ID and the Corporate Affairs Commission: For businesses, the TIN is tied directly to the RC Number issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission. Likewise, for cooperatives, partnerships, professional bodies, and other legal entities, the TIN is connected to their respective recognised registries

This linkage ensures that corporate entities can be transparently identified for both tax and compliance purposes. Just as with individuals, banks and regulators do not require extra documentation beyond the foundational registry numbers to confirm tax status.

Exploring the benefits of a tax ID: Seamless Banking Access: Individuals and businesses can open and operate bank accounts using their NIN or RC Number, with the TIN automatically integrated behind the scenes.

Fraud reduction: The system eliminates duplicate or false identities by ensuring every taxpayer is tied to a verifiable registry.

Regulatory compliance: Banks and financial institutions can rely on a single, consent-driven source of truth for onboarding, reporting, and KYC compliance.

Inclusivity: Beyond companies, the framework extends coverage to associations, professional bodies, and trustees

Global compatibility: Nigeria’s tax system can securely interact with international systems for trade, finance, and compliance.

The misconception that Nigerians cannot own or operate a bank account without a tax ID overlooks the integrated design of the new TIN system. By linking TINs to existing foundational identifiers such as the NIN and RC Number, the system ensures automatic compliance without creating unnecessary barriers for citizens.

In practice, this means a Nigerian walking into a bank with their NIN is already tax compliant. The bank simply retrieves its TIN as part of its onboarding process. Far from being a hurdle, the TIN framework is a gateway to financial inclusion, regulatory transparency, and global interoperability in Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.

Aderonke Atoyebi is the technical assistant on broadcast media to the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service

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