The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has announced that a committee will be formed to investigate the tragic death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who passed away following a match at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Olanrewaju collapsed during his bout with Ghana’s John Mbanugu on March 29, 2025, and was quickly rushed to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Minister Adams confirmed that conflicting reports have emerged regarding the events leading up to Olanrewaju’s collapse, particularly concerning his weight prior to the fight.
The Nigeria Boxing Board Control (NBBC) and the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) have offered differing versions of the incident, prompting the government to initiate an independent investigation.
Adams stressed that the inquiry would focus on whether proper procedures were followed in sanctioning the fight and if all ringside protocols, including the presence of paramedics, were in place.
“We will form a committee to thoroughly investigate what occurred. I assure everyone that no details will be concealed. We will engage both the Nigerian and Ghanaian sides and expect full cooperation,” Adams assured.
