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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Executive Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, on Thursday presented a commemorative jersey to Bola Tinubu at the State House, describing the gesture as a token of appreciation for the President’s support for sports development in Nigeria.
Speaking with State House correspondents after briefing the President, Dikko said Tinubu’s backing had been instrumental in driving reforms and achievements recorded across the sports sector in 2025. He noted that the administration’s policy direction, including improved funding mechanisms, had received endorsements from the National Assembly during budget defence sessions.
Dikko disclosed that the President recently directed relevant agencies to prioritise sports funding in the national budget and ensure prompt release of approved allocations once the budget is signed into law.
The NSC boss highlighted key milestones recorded in 2025, revealing that Nigeria won nearly 375 medals across various competitions while the sports sector contributed about 1.2 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product in the third quarter of the year. He also noted that private sector investments in sports rose to about N50 billion within the same period.
According to Dikko, the commission’s annual report submitted to the President secured critical approvals, including the constitution of the board of the Nigerian Anti-Doping Agency following the signing of the anti-doping bill. The move, he said, aligns with global requirements and has helped Nigeria maintain its status as a compliant nation in anti-doping regulations.
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Beyond medals, Dikko emphasised the economic impact of sports, stating that the sector generated approximately 140,000 jobs across its ecosystem in 2025. He explained that the outcome supports the Federal Government’s “New Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy,” which seeks to measure success through broader economic contributions.
Looking ahead, the NSC chairman said discussions with the President centred on accelerating the development of sporting infrastructure nationwide to sustain recent progress. He stressed that investments would target both elite facilities and grassroots platforms to enhance talent discovery and development.
Dikko added that grassroots sports remained a major focus, with promising performances recorded at youth competitions, including the African School Games, as well as renewed collaboration with the Ministry of Education to revive school sports competitions such as NUGA Games and the Principal’s Cup.
He further disclosed that provisions in the 2026 budget would require sports federations to demonstrate grassroots development efforts as a condition for receiving support for international competitions.
On football matters, Dikko acknowledged an ongoing FIFA-related issue stemming from World Cup playoffs but maintained that authorities were confident of a favourable outcome while shifting attention to future competitions.
He concluded on an optimistic note, asserting that Nigeria’s sports sector is making progress both competitively and economically. “We are on the right track,” he said, adding that the country is not only winning on the field of play but also reaping economic benefits from sports development.
