According to a report from The PUNCH, medical experts have expressed concerns regarding the implementation of “random doping” in the Nigeria Professional Football League by the Interim Management Committee, which is responsible for organizing the league. The NPFL recently announced that they have acquired doping test kits from the United Kingdom and have given clubs and players a two-week notice before initiating random tests. The aim is to align with the global campaign against illicit substance use in sports, as per IMC chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye’s statement.
However, some experts have raised questions about the NPFL’s approach, particularly regarding the specific methods and frequency of testing. Jimi Osinaike, an expert in sports and physical activity-related drugs, welcomed the development but highlighted the need for clarification on whether NPFL players are adequately informed about prohibited substances, the frequency of testing, in-competition and out-of-competition testing, and the league’s financial capacity to analyze the samples.
Speaking anonymously to The PUNCH, another expert noted that aligning the testing with CAF/FIFA standards and training personnel would require several steps. They emphasized the scarcity of doping control testing laboratories in Africa, with none located in West Africa. They also stressed that true random testing involves planning, specifying the number of selected players, and having trained medical staff on-site, among other requirements.
The announcement generated mixed reactions from followers of the league. Some believe that it will help curb the use of performance-enhancing drugs among players, while others expressed concerns about the potential repercussions for Nigerian players who might be involved in substance use.
Keny David welcomed the move and suggested that many Nigerian players might fail the tests, viewing it as a positive development for the NPFL. Okhueleigbe Aigbokhaebho praised the initiative but expressed hope that local players would adapt to routine testing if they move to European leagues. Ismail Omobolaji claimed that many Nigerian local professional football players engage in the use of substances like weed and alcohol, suggesting that the testing could reveal such behavior.
