Sports
NSC Leadership Driving Nigeria’s Sporting Renaissance Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Mandate
Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to repositioning Nigerian sports, crediting the renewed energy and direction in the sector to the visionary leadership of Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade.
Since the assuming office, the duo turned the tide, ensuring accountability, transparency, and world-class standards that align seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Their leadership prowess has been at the heart of the Commission’s transformation, setting a new benchmark in sports administration.
Mallam Dikko and Hon. Olopade has provided the operational edge that has translated vision into reality.
The podium board initiative bolstered under this administration has paid off tremendously. By ensuring cost-effectiveness and timeliness in athletes’ preparation, the NSC has been able to deliver on its promises. For the first time in years, all athletes have received their training grants promptly, creating a culture of trust and commitment between the Commission and its sportsmen and women.
In a statement on Saturday, Hon. Olopade explained that the bidding process for the 2028 National Sports Festival has already begun, marking a clear departure from past practices where the process was delayed, leading to procedural errors. This bold move reflects a new era of transparency and merit, where hosting rights are earned through competitive processes rather than arbitrary decisions.
The new leadership has opened a new vista for all sports to thrive. 44 sports National team have participated in international competitions, with only two being unsuccessful.
The institutionalization of the Invited Junior Athletes(IJA) initiative is another major reform. Through this programme, the best performers from the last National Youth Games have seamlessly graduated to represent Nigeria at major international competitions such as the Confederation of African Athletics Championships and the inaugural School Sports Games that took place in Algeria.
This continuity has created a structured pathway for talent development and ensured that Nigeria’s brightest prospects are nurtured to their full potential.
The NSC under the leadership of Mallam Dikko and Hon. Olopade has also unlocked unprecedented private sector support. Over ₦10 billion have already been raised from corporate partners to support programs and competitions, easing the burden on government while providing the resources athletes need to excel locally and internationally.
In less than nine months, Nigeria has hosted no fewer than five international events, including the West African Traditional Wrestling Championship in Abuja, the CAA Africa U18/U20 Athletics Championships, an international training programme for gymnastics coaches, the Africa Cadet Taekwondo and Karate Championships, and the Para Table Tennis Championship in Lagos. Preparations are also underway to host the West Africa Para International Tournament in Abeokuta.
Reflecting on these achievements, Hon. Olopade stated: “What we are witnessing today is a new dawn for Nigerian sports. “There is deliberate planning, focused execution, and tangible outcomes. We want to build a system that will outlive individuals and place Nigeria permanently on the global sporting map.”
Together, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade has shown that with clarity of vision, transparency in governance, and commitment to excellence, Nigerian sports can achieve greatness.
Their leadership embodies President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s call for Renewed Hope, ensuring that athletes are empowered with the tools, resources, and opportunities to shine on the world stage.
The NSC DG reassured that the Commission will continue to deepen reforms, strengthen federations, and provide support to athletes, coaches, and administrators as the country marches confidently towards a new era of sporting glory.
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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