Sports

FG Inaugurates National Sports As Business Policy Technical Committee

Published

4 years ago

March 28, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10 man National Sports as Business Policy Technical Committee to draw up the details of the incentives that will be in the National Sports as Business Policy.

While inaugurating the Committee in his Office on Tuesday in Abuja , the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare stated that the first ever National Sports Industry Policy approved by the President in Council in November 2, 2022, is aimed at moving Sports in Nigeria from recreation to Business.

The Committee which is to be coordinated by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed was charged with the responsibility of working out the modalities for the successful transition of Sports from recreation to Business in the country.

According to him, “For over 3 years now, the Ministry has been at work reviewing past sports policies and also dealing with the weaknesses therein. The major weakness was that Sports was just categorized as recreation and service, it was not a business and therefore placed financial burden on the Federal government”.

He stated further that the Ministry has in line with global practice decided to look at Sports as Business to enable the Industry also contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the nation.

“Looking at about 10 countries that dominate the world of global sports, the Ministry decided to look at Sports as Business, which if handled appropriately, can among others, contribute to the annual GDP of the country, provide employment for about 2 to 5 million youth, grants, other necessary supports as well as scholarships for athletes”, he stressed.

Dare who explained that investment, incentives and infrastructure are the three things that drive Sports as business, funded both by government and private sector, added that the policy is in line with the orientation of government which under the current National Development Plan 2021 to 2025 is based on 70% of funds from the private sector and 30% from government with rebate on tax.

Earlier in his Opening remarks, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar called on private individuals as well as stakeholders to key into the new policy with a view to taking sports to greater heights.

While commending the laudable innovations of the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, Alh. Ismaila Abubakar thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for granting approval to the Policy and called on the Committee to put in their best towards the success of the Policy.

Responding on behalf of the Committee, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Dr Ladan Haruna assured that the Committee will bring their wealth of experience to bear in ensuring the success of the Policy.

He commended the Honourable Minister, Mr Sunday Dare for the initiative, adding that if properly harnessed, it will boost the sports industry, thus impacting positively on every sector of the economy.

Members of the Technical Committee are: Dr Ladan Haruna, Mrs Chinedu Louisa Okeke, Dominic Akuboh, Mrs Tabitha Dagyol, and Dr Ikenna Nwosu. Others are, Amaechi Akawo, Bamiduro Olumide, Chasing Madumumere, Rep. of CBN, as well as Rep of Customs and Excise.

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Sports

SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism

Published

16 hours ago

October 26, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, has urged sports journalists to eliminate gender stereotypes and bias in their reports to promote fairness, inclusion and greater visibility for women in sports.

Benjamin made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a presentation titled “Gender-Sensitive Journalism: Removing Gender Stereotypes and Bias in Sports Reporting” at the Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar for Journalists, organised by the Women Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

He said sports journalists play a critical role in shaping public opinion, influencing athletes’ visibility and determining which achievements receive recognition, sponsorship and investment.

According to him, the way the media reports women in sports can either reinforce existing barriers or help dismantle them.

Benjamin explained that gender-sensitive journalism requires fairness, accuracy, equality and inclusion, stressing that it does not mean giving female athletes favourable coverage or shielding them from legitimate criticism.

He identified common forms of bias in sports reporting, including giving men’s competitions greater prominence, focusing on female athletes’ appearance rather than performance, defining women by their marital or family status, and questioning their competence in leadership positions.

The SWAN president urged journalists to adopt respectful language, apply consistent professional standards and extend coverage beyond national teams to domestic leagues, grassroots competitions, female coaches, referees and sports administrators.

Using Nigeria’s sporting landscape as an example, he said the achievements of the Super Falcons deserved sustained analysis beyond match results, including discussions on investment, player development, professional leagues and grassroots structures.

He also noted that digital platforms offered opportunities to expand coverage of women’s sports but warned journalists against sensationalism, online harassment and sexist commentary.

Benjamin proposed seven measures, including gender-sensitive editorial guidelines, regular coverage audits, diversified sources, professional development, stronger grassroots reporting and measurable progress.

He called on SWAN to collaborate with the NOC, sports federations, leagues and clubs to improve access to information and strengthen women’s visibility in sports.

He urged journalists to ensure that athletes are judged by their performances and achievements rather than gender stereotypes.

“Gender-sensitive journalism must be fair, not favourable,” he said, emphasising that responsibility for change rests with reporters, editors, broadcasters, photographers and digital publishers.

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