Nigerian Boxing Federation Officials Accused of Visa Racketeering, Fraudulent Selection for World Cup
Nigeria’s boxing federation faces fresh scandal as officials are accused of visa racketeering.
Stakeholders warn the alleged fraud could damage the sport’s image and block genuine athletes abroad.
Barely a year after Nigeria’s boxing contingent faced global embarrassment over doping scandals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, fresh controversy is threatening the reputation of the sport. Stakeholders have raised alarm over alleged visa racketeering and fraudulent practices within the Nigerian Boxing Federation (NBF).
According to insider sources, the General Secretary of the NBF, Olalekan Faseesin, and former board member Adura Olaleyin allegedly helped procure United Kingdom visas for unnamed boxers to attend the World Boxing World Cup in Liverpool, which is scheduled for September 4–14, 2025.
Stakeholders claim the purported delegation was selected and registered without the knowledge or approval of the NBF board. There was reportedly no official national camp or transparent trial to determine Nigeria’s representatives.
Even the national coach responsible for training boxers for international events was sidelined in the process.
Further investigation suggests that the accused officials collected undisclosed sums from the unnamed boxers in exchange for facilitating their visas, using the NBF name as cover.
Concerns are mounting that such actions could damage Nigeria’s credibility in the eyes of international sporting authorities and foreign embassies.
“This is dangerous not only for the sport but for Nigeria’s image abroad,” one stakeholder told reporters. “If this kind of illegality continues unchecked, genuine athletes may find it difficult to secure visas for future competitions.”
Stakeholders also warned that the fraudulent request for government funding to support the trip had already reached the National Sports Commission (NSC). They are now calling on the NSC to urgently investigate the allegations, suspend any financial approvals related to the Liverpool World Cup, and take disciplinary action against those implicated.
