Sports

₦203bn Allocation: House Sports Committee Backs Tinubu’s 92% Budget Increase for 2026

Published

6 hours ago

February 12, 2026

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for proposing ₦203.6 billion for the sports sector in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, describing it as a strong demonstration of the administration’s commitment to national development through sports.

According to the Gusau/Tsafe Federal constituency representative, the proposed allocation represents a 92.6 percent increase from the ₦105.7 billion approved for the sector in the 2025 Appropriation Act. He said the significant increment underscores the Federal Government’s recognition of sports as a vital instrument for youth empowerment, national unity and international representation.

Amadu also lauded President Tinubu’s approval of first-line charge funding for the sports sector, a move expected to guarantee the prompt release of funds immediately after the passage of the budget. He noted that early funding would allow sporting bodies to prepare adequately for competitions and eliminate the recurring challenges of delayed financing.

The Committee Chairman expressed optimism that the increased allocation would address long-standing issues in the sector, including deteriorating sports infrastructure — particularly the National Stadia — unpaid bonuses to athletes and officials, inadequate funding for over 40 sports federations, and the absence of sustainable development frameworks and skilled manpower.
Reflecting on recent progress, Amadu described 2025 as a turning point for Nigerian sports. He highlighted the unprecedented achievement of 373 medals won by Nigerian athletes across international competitions — the highest tally in the country’s history.

He also pointed to reforms that repositioned the National Institute of Sports, restored full anti-doping compliance and strengthened the integrity of Nigeria’s sporting system. Other milestones included the revitalisation of school sports to enhance grassroots talent discovery and the introduction of direct grants to athletes to support training and preparation.

“These milestones have restored hope, confidence and pride in our sports sector,” Amadu stated.
The Committee Chairman reaffirmed the constitutional oversight responsibilities of the House Committee on Sports, noting that the agencies under its supervision had been invited to account for the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act ahead of consideration of the 2026 budget proposals.

He explained that the budget defence exercise aligns with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the National Assembly to conduct investigations and ensure accountability in the management of public funds.

Amadu assured stakeholders that the committee would intensify its oversight functions to guarantee transparency, accountability and value for money in the utilisation of the proposed 2026 allocation.

“As we consider the 2026 Appropriation Bill, we remain committed to ensuring that these increased resources are effectively utilised to develop infrastructure, support athletes and sustain grassroots sports development,” he said.

He added that the committee would pursue constructive engagement with all relevant agencies to ensure that every kobo allocated to the sector translates into measurable impact for Nigerian sports and the nation at large.

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Dikko, Olopade Lead New Era of Unity, Job Creation in Nigeria’s Sports Sector

Published

14 hours ago

February 11, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Just over a year after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dissolved the Federal Ministry of Sports and reconstituted the National Sports Commission (NSC) as the country’s apex sports authority, Nigeria’s sports sector is enjoying a remarkable revival.

Under the stewardship of NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, the industry has recorded unprecedented gains in unity, athlete welfare, international performance and economic impact.A New Climate of Peace and CooperationOne of the Commission’s most notable achievements has been the restoration of harmony across sports federations.

For years, disputes, litigation and factionalism hampered progress and undermined institutional stability. That culture has now given way to collaboration and cohesion.For the first time in recent memory, federation elections were conducted seamlessly, without controversy or disruption, reflecting the technocratic leadership guiding the NSC.

Longstanding disputes have been resolved through dialogue, creating an enabling environment for federations to grow and thrive.Federations that once struggled to stage even a single annual competition are now attracting private sector support, boosting both participation and visibility.

Sports such as swimming, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, badminton, handball and weightlifting are gaining increasing global recognition—an outcome widely credited to the strategic partnership between Dikko and Olopade.Investing in Athletes, Investing in SuccessAthlete welfare has remained central to the Commission’s agenda. Recently, the NSC disbursed more than ₦200 million in training grants to 26 elite athletes preparing for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

This marked the second such disbursement within six months, benefiting both home-based and overseas athletes in disciplines including athletics, wrestling, weightlifting and para-sports.“These grants are meant to support training and preparation so that our athletes can perform at their best on the world stage,” Hon. Olopade said. “When we take care of our athletes, they take care of the country by winning medals.

”The grants were channelled through the Elite and Podium Board, a scientific and institutional framework designed to sustain peak performance and safeguard athlete welfare at major international competitions.Global Success and Economic ReturnsGuided by the RHINSE Blueprint between 2024 and 2025, Team Nigeria recorded outstanding success, winning 373 medals worldwide—197 gold, 119 silver and 77 bronze—across multi-sport games, continental championships and international competitions.

These achievements have strengthened Nigeria’s standing as a leading sports nation on the African continent.Beyond podium success, the NSC’s reforms have delivered tangible economic benefits. The sports sector mobilised ₦50 billion in private capital—the highest ever recorded through the Sports Investment Promotion Office—and contributed 1.2 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product by the third quarter of 2025.

Major sporting events also generated more than 140,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide. President Tinubu underscored the broader significance of sport to national development, describing it as one of Nigeria’s strongest national brands—one that unifies citizens, inspires belief and fosters a sense of community across age, language, ethnicity, religion and social class.

The period also witnessed historic milestones, including Nigeria’s ascent to world No. 1 in Scrabble and its debut in the Bobsleigh World Cup, highlighting the sector’s growing reach beyond traditional sporting disciplines.Laying the Foundations for Sustainable Growth

At the heart of this transformation has been the introduction of a unified sports funding architecture, approved at the presidential level, which has removed bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensured more efficient and transparent resource allocation across federations.

“From grassroots competitions to continental and global platforms, the evidence is clear: when talent is supported with structure and preparation, Nigeria delivers,” President Tinubu remarked.With these reforms, the NSC has positioned sports as both a high-performance enterprise and a viable economic sector, generating long-term benefits for athletes, institutions and the wider economy.

Under the leadership of Dikko and Olopade, Nigeria’s sports sector is not only achieving international excellence but also driving employment, attracting private investment and strengthening national unity.

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