By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The House of Representatives (HoR) Committee on Public Petitions has scheduled a hearing for December 9, 2025, on a petition filed by Nigerian boxing champion Bash Ali over alleged sabotage of the proposed first Guinness World Boxing Championship in Africa and its expected economic benefits for Nigeria.
Bash Ali had earlier petitioned the HoR committee, requesting intervention against what he described as “unlimited impunity” affecting the boxing project. The petition highlights concerns over potential obstruction that could undermine the economic and sports development opportunities associated with hosting the championship.
According to the hearing notice issued by the HoR Public Petitions Committee chairman, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has been named as the respondent. The notice was formally addressed to Bash Ali and made available to journalists.
The public hearing, initially scheduled for Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm, was postponed to December 9 due to NSC Chairman Dikko’s official engagement in Morocco with the Super Eagle for the final leg of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The notice reads in part:
“The National Assembly House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, Petition No. 729 of 2025, regarding Bash Ali boxing project, requests intervention in the first Guinness World Records Boxing Championship fight on African soil and the alleged sabotage affecting Nigeria’s economic benefits. The Chairman, National Sports Commission, is summoned as the respondent.”
The committee emphasized that the particulars of the petition are already known to the respondent and that the matter will be determined at the forthcoming hearing.
The rescheduled session reflects the committee’s commitment to ensuring that all parties, including the NSC Chairman, are available to provide their inputs. It also underscores the significance of the petition, which has attracted attention from sports and economic stakeholders nationwide.
Bash Ali’s petition raises critical issues about accountability, transparency, and the protection of Nigeria’s emerging sports projects, particularly those that have the potential to place the country on the global stage. The outcome of the hearing is expected to influence the organization and execution of future international sporting events in Nigeria.
Officials from the committee have assured that the December 9 hearing will provide an opportunity for all relevant parties to present evidence, answer queries, and clarify their positions regarding the alleged sabotage.
