On assumption of office on the 30th of October, 2024 the new Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Shehu Dikko, made a statement that will define the whole concept of Sports and its administration in Nigeria under his watch. He described Sports as a natural asset of our country Nigeria, thus the reason for him to ensure that it contributes to the country’s GDP, and not only to win medals.

He disclosed that among his priorities in sports development, is to have a proper framework of the Legislation of sports and its foundation. In particular, he stressed, he would pay attention on the investment of infrastructural data that will provide enabling environment for effective success.

Expatiating on the things he would focus on, he disclosed the importance of knowing his staff strength and capacities, having viable National Sports Developmental Funds, as well as striving to achieve at least 5% dominance of Sports in the world.

Nigerian lovers of sports have for many years cried out for a technocrat to head the sports sector, possibly the reason President Bola Ahmed Tinubu considered a man from the football arena, usually a behemoth of activities, as a best material to deploy his experiences, both in international sports and buisness involvement, in the grand domain of sports.

Many people have been rejoicing since the announcement of Shehu Dikko as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission. While some feel it ought to be their time, many others feel it’s the best situation of national interest. However what would be expected is for all stakeholders to submit a clear template in order for him to galvanize them as expected, in the National Sporting field.

Dikko’s task is no doubt enormous. Having worked most of his years in the football area, he is going to be faced with the challenge of managing all sports, including the different departments with over forty Federations. It is expected that he will ensure that the different Federations that control the athletes will provide him a clear data bank of their athletes, where they are domiciled, their world record as compared to that of their counterparts, as well as the identities of their coaches and Technical Directors.

On that note, I commend Sunday Agunbiade who has taken time to extract the biography of our Honourable Chairman, Shehu Dikko, and the comparative performance of athletes from 2012 Olympics to Paris 2024, where the country was highly embarrassed by not registering the athletes’ names to represent the country as expected.

Some interesting cases include Blessing Okagbere, Oghene Egiver 100m at Doha 2019, World Athletics Championship, barring Nigerian Athletes in Tokyo 2020 including Favor Ofilli for 100m in the recently concluded Olympics in Paris 2024. Not forgetting the Nigerian Lady Annette Echikunwoke who won silver medal for U.S in Hammer in the just concluded paralympics.

These are some of the major pointers expected from the Departments especially the Technical Directors, Secretary Generals and the Nigeria Olympic Committee to ensure its clarity and readiness before the departure of athletes and contingents out of the country for championships. Thus would the nation witness a re-energized Sports Commission roaring to go.

Nigerian Sports have no doubt suffered some setbacks in trying to achieve success. Now is the time to evolve a clear Road Map, more-so in trying to execute its policies and attain its set goals which has been hampered, despite the nation having an abundance of natural talents that are the desires of other countries.

It should be noted that our President, being number one in every sector of the country, is automatically in-charge in both sports administration and sports politics. His support for sporting activities guarantees success in the participation of both the athletes and footballers in all championships.

Possibly what he envisions about sporting events in the world, including the selection of credible managers, might be the reason he opted for a man that is already ably wearing sports shoes, to Chair the new sector and accord it the energy and vibrancy that it deserves.

Shehu Dikko will not disappoint, looking at his pedigree and the litany of his successes. He is a graduate of Quantity Surveying with a post-graduate diploma in Management, and Masters in Business Administration. He has experience in Sports Administration and Marketing. He is said to have been a Consultant to the House of Reps. Committee on Sports.

He successfully managed a major sponsorship of the Nigerian Football League by Globacom worth about $1 million per season, thus neccesitating the League Management Company which he was eventually called to serve as the CEO under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Nduka Irabor.

Their contribution to increase national GDP attracted them to signing a contract with LaLiga. History has it that he has been promoting Clubs to develop youth programme and talent hunt, the reason he was envisioned to be a member of the CAF lnterclub Committee, FIFA Stakeholder as well as World League Forum.

Alhaji Dikko, who has served in different sectors of football as manager of FIFA GOAL PROJECT in Nigeria, Chairman of the Code and Ethics Committee of the National Teams, Chairman of The NFF Sponsorship and Marketing Committee, Second Vice President of the NFF and the CEO of the LMC, will be expected to give of his ability and thus secure a bold place for himself in the annals of Sports Development in Nigeria.

Felly Mammah N.
Press Officer
Nat. Sports Commission

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share