Nigeria Boxer’s Death: Government Sets Up Investigative Committee


The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has inaugurated a seven-member committee to investigate the tragic death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who collapsed during a bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena on March 29, 2025.

The committee was officially sworn in at the Ministry’s headquarters and tasked with probing the circumstances that led to the incident. Their work will also focus on assessing whether promoters and authorities in both Ghana and Nigeria adhered to international safety protocols and procedural requirements.

The committee is chaired by former Minister for Youth and Sports and diplomat, H.E. Major (Rtd) Amarkai Amarteifio. The other members are Mr. Peter Zwennes, Mr. Ekow Asmah, Mr. Samuel Bartels, Mrs. Juliana Addo-Yobo, Dr. Martin Engmann, and Mr. Eddie Pappoe. The team has been given 21 days to present its findings to the Ministry.

Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, who inaugurated the committee, emphasized the gravity of the situation and the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth. “The death of a young athlete is not something we take lightly,” he said. “This committee’s work is crucial in ensuring accountability and preventing future tragedies in the sport.”

In his acceptance remarks, H.E. Amarteifio thanked the Minister for entrusting the team with the responsibility and pledged their full commitment to a thorough investigation. He also appealed to the media for responsible and accurate reporting during the process.

The committee’s terms of reference include determining the cause of the boxer’s death, evaluating whether the promoters acted in accordance with international standards, and assessing whether the licensing authorities in Nigeria were diligent in approving Olanrewaju’s participation in the fight. They will also examine the roles of match officials, recommend sanctions for any lapses, and propose technical and medical reforms to enhance safety in boxing.

Present at the inauguration were the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, the Chief Director of the Ministry, ministry officials, and members of the press.





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