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NJF President Commends NUGA for Eliminating Mercenary Athletes in Judo

The President of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), Dr. Musa Oshodi, has applauded the National University Games Association (NUGA) for its decisive move to eliminate the use of mercenary athletes in university judo tournaments.

Speaking with Campulse News at the ongoing 27th NUGA Games hosted by the University of Jos, Dr. Oshodi — who also serves as the Judo Coordinator for the Games — hailed the new accreditation system adopted by NUGA, describing it as a landmark step toward transparency and fairness in university sports.

“The issue of mercenaries has been put to rest. As far as judo is concerned, I can categorically say that 99 percent of the athletes competing here are bona fide students,” Oshodi said. “We now have mechanisms to verify eligibility, and the schools themselves have become more responsible. I give it to NUGA for sustaining this integrity.”

According to the NJF President, the updated verification process has restored confidence among teams and technical officials, ensuring that every judoka on the tatami meets proper student-athlete standards. He described this development as a major milestone in the growth of collegiate judo and a reflection of NUGA’s commitment to discipline, fairness, and professionalism in university sports.

Addressing concerns about the sport’s visibility, Oshodi dismissed claims that judo lags behind more popular sports such as football. He noted that the Federation’s outreach and grassroots initiatives have significantly increased participation and recognition in recent years.

“Judo is far more popular than when I took over four years ago,” he said. “We have more schools, clubs, and individuals showing interest—either through sponsorship or active participation. It is a sport that promotes physical fitness, mental alertness, and emotional stability.”

Describing the martial art as a “gentle hard sport,” Dr. Oshodi emphasized that judo transcends competition, cultivating character, focus, and respect among practitioners. “Judo is not just about combat; it builds discipline and personal development. As a medical doctor, I can tell you that judo has improved my professional outlook and mental coordination,” he added.

Having coordinated judo at NUGA since 2004, Oshodi praised the conduct of this year’s tournament, calling it one of the most peaceful and technically organized editions in recent memory.

“The atmosphere has been excellent—crisis-free,” he remarked. “The transparency and sincerity of the technical officials have been commendable. I make sure I’m present throughout to ensure there’s no room for any hanky-panky.”

He further commended the athletes and officials for their discipline both on and off the mat, noting that their professionalism continues to reflect positively on Nigerian university sports.

“So far, the tournament has been impressive, and I give credit to all my technical officials,” he concluded.

26 universities are competing in the judo events at the Games, with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the University of Ibadan (UI), and Lagos State University (LASU) currently leading the medal standings.