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Sports To Become A Means Of Livelihood For Nigerian-Minister

Published

6 years ago

November 21, 2019

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Sunday Dare has said that the desire of the present government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is to formulate a policy that will ensure sports becomes the means of livelihood for many Nigerian.

He stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the Inter-ministerial Technical Session on Sports industry development with the theme: “Positioning sports as an industry-from concept to action” address at the two-day Nigerian Economic Summit Group NESG.

The two-day event organized by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and The Nigerian Economic Summit Group NESG, the minister noted that sports are a key sectors in driving the nation’s economy.

He expressed that the summit is coming for the first time in 59 years with the aimed of looking at sports as a viable business in Nigeria saying that the focus is to develop sports as a viable industry.

According to him, Sports as a viable business and we want to build a business model around the sports in Nigerian

“At the beginning of the second stanza of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Mr. President laid out in clear terms, specific targets for every sector of the economy within the Next Level Agenda of his administration. Derivable for the Sports Sector, within the Agenda can be categorized in the twin goals of developing appropriate Public-Private Partnership model and delivering on the establishment of a private sector-driven Sports Development Fund to support, as well as, invest in various programs and Sports facilities.

“The overarching goals of these initiatives aside the creation of wealth and jobs are to ensure the delivery of the dividends of good governance to the citizens and promote greater private sector investment in the Sports Sector.

“In order to achieve these set targets, the Sports Industry Thematic Group was born through the Ministry’s interactions with the organized private sector using the platform of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

“Our desire to pursue this vigorously is in line with the declaration in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which states that “…sport to the realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives” (UNGA 2015, para. 37, 10).

“With this, the NESG and the Ministry are working on a policy framework for achieving these goals. Commendable progress has been made in this regard as we have now thought it necessary to move to the next phase of sharing this vision and to solicit the cooperation and buy-in of sister agencies as a prelude to launching to the larger private sector groups.

“The global practice is for the Private sector to partner with the Public sector in tapping into the business potentials of the Sports Sector, which has economic potentials, to develop policies, strategies, and interventions in ensuring economic growth and prosperity, which in turn, guarantees social and community development across all spheres.

“This trend requires a framework for tapping into the business potentials of sports development and its commercialization and is generally achieved through a National Sports Policy as the guidepost for overall national sports development; the promotion of a healthier society and the strengthening of appropriate regulations and legislations that support and facilitate sporting initiatives and activities.

“It is imperative that the National Sports Policy Document is tailored to reach a mutual understanding, vision, policy, and targets in the field of sports. It will also provide coordination and cooperation in the services and activities of the relevant public institutions, organizations and non-governmental organizations as well as other stakeholders,” he said

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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