A former National President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Fan Ndubuoke, has issued a strong warning over what he describes as the deepening crisis of ethics, corruption, and institutional failure in Nigerian sports administration.
Speaking at a workshop organised by Imo SWAN, Ndubuoke said sports journalism in Nigeria is under increasing pressure from political influence, economic hardship, and declining professional standards. He argued that these forces are reshaping how journalists interpret their duty to the public.
He described the tension between patriotism and professionalism as one of the biggest ethical challenges facing sportswriters, stressing that loyalty to the nation must never be used as a cover to distort truth or protect misconduct.
Ndubuoke also criticised what he called the growing dependence of journalists on political and administrative favour, warning that patronage culture has weakened investigative reporting, creativity, and accountability in sports media.
In a particularly pointed section of his paper, the former SWAN leader said Nigeria’s sports governance system suffers from “institutional illegality,” arguing that many governing structures lack proper legal foundations and operate without transparency or accountability.
He went further to describe the system as resembling a “Ponzi structure,” alleging that sports funding is often diverted into the hands of a small group of administrators while athletes and grassroots development are neglected. He also accused sections of the sporting press of enabling the problem through biased coverage and financial inducements.
Ndubuoke said the consequences are visible in declining meritocracy, poor talent development, and repeated administrative controversies across sports federations. He warned that until structural reforms are enforced, ethical discussions within the sector would remain ineffective.
Calling for a return to SWAN’s founding values, he urged sports journalists to prioritise integrity, professional training, and accountability, insisting that only a disciplined and independent press can restore credibility to Nigerian sports reporting.
