Sports
Fresh Dawn for Nigerian Sports as NSC Swears In Federation Boards, Urges Focus on DeveCommission
Joel Ajayi
It was a new dawn for Nigerian sports on Saturday in Abuja as the National Sports Commission (NSC) inaugurated newly elected boards of various sports federations, marking a fresh chapter in the nation’s sports administration.
The inauguration followed what many described as a free, fair, and transparent election process across the different federations.
Speaking during the event, the Director General of the NSC, Chief Bukola Olopade, charged the new presidents and board members to formulate their individual constitutions within six months to ensure effective governance and sustainable sports development.
Among the federations inaugurated were Wrestling, Cricket, Hockey, Tennis, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Traditional Sports, and Handball, among others.
Chief Olopade expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the elections, commending stakeholders for their maturity and cooperation. He noted that credible, competent, and visionary individuals have emerged to lead the new boards, which he described as a major boost for the sports sector.
He cited the election of notable figures such as the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as President of the Wrestling Federation; the Minister of Finance, Adebayo Olawale, as President of the Boxing Federation; and former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, as President of the Tennis Federation, as clear indications of the government’s renewed commitment to professionalism and accountability in sports administration.
“We are pleased with the quality of leadership that has emerged from these elections. These are individuals with proven track records who can drive reform, attract private investment, and deliver results,” Olopade said.
He added that the Commission is adopting a new model of sports governance built on corporate principles, performance-based management, and strong private sector involvement.
According to him, the NSC will hold all federations accountable for their promises and ensure they mobilize private funding to complement government efforts.
Olopade also highlighted examples of federations already benefiting from private sector partnerships, such as the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, which recently secured a ₦500 million sponsorship deal from a betting company.
“Our goal is to make sports in Nigeria self-sustaining through strong partnerships and responsible leadership,” he emphasized.
He assured stakeholders that the Commission remains committed to transparency, fairness, and due process in addressing any electoral disputes or unresolved issues.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the 2025 Sports Federations Electoral Committee, Dr. Simon Ebohjaye, described the elections as smooth, credible, and well-organized, noting that only the Kickboxing Federation’s election was postponed for a later date due to minor issues.
“We’ve had national and zonal elections for our sports federations, and the process has been very orderly. This exercise will usher in credible leadership that will strengthen our national federations and advance sports development across the country,” Ebohjaye said.
With the inauguration of the new boards, stakeholders and sports enthusiasts alike are optimistic that this marks the beginning of a new era of growth, professionalism, and innovation for Nigerian sports.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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