Fresh controversy has engulfed the Nigerian professional boxing scene, following allegations that the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) granted a boxing promotional licence to a United States-based individual despite objections from the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC).
The Secretary-General of the NBBofC, Remi Aboderin, alleged that the individual, identified as Kendrick SMG Atum-Ra of CPDE promotions, based in Georgia, USA, had previously sought a boxing promotional licence from the board but was denied after what he described as an adverse background investigation.
According to Aboderin, the board’s investigation uncovered allegations that Atum-Ra had been involved in criminal activities such as gun running in the United States and had previously served a prison sentence. Aboderin claimed these findings made him unsuitable to manage Nigerian professional boxers.
He further explained that after being denied by the NBBofC, Kendrick Atum-Ra obtained a boxing promotional licence through the NBF’s professional boxing arm, led by Yakubu Imadu Omonlei and Azania Omo-Agege. Aboderin also claimed that Atum-Ra has since signed several Nigerian boxers, a move he said contravenes existing regulations governing professional boxing in the country.
The NBBofC secretary accused the NBF leadership of disregarding advice from both the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the NBBofC by engaging with individuals the board considers unqualified to operate within Nigeria’s professional boxing sector.
Aboderin also disputed claims that the NBF had received approval from the National Assembly to oversee any aspects of professional boxing. He described the purported approval as invalid, arguing that the federation, being an agency under the National Sports Commission, lacks the authority to seek such approval independently.
According to him, the National Sports Commission had earlier directed the NBF to refrain from managing professional boxing and instead focus on its statutory responsibility of overseeing amateur boxing. “By not focusing on the statutory responsibilities of the NBF and trying to bite more than they can chew, we can see the results in the ongoing Commonwealth Games.”
Aboderin, however, referenced a letter dated March 25, 2026, signed by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, warning the NBF’s professional boxing arm against organizing or regulating professional boxing activities in Nigeria.
Despite the directive, the boxing federation has continued to sanction professional bouts and issue boxing licences, a development he warned could damage the credibility and integrity of Nigerian boxing.
“As against the advice, these desperate people are still going ahead to sanction bouts and issue boxing licences, which has led to them bringing an American gangster into our boxing system—a development that portends danger for Nigerian boxing,” Aboderin said.
He, however, called on the relevant authorities to intervene and investigate the matter to prevent what he described as a growing threat to the sport.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
