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
Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit
Joel Ajayi
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.
Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.
The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.
He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.
“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.
“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.
He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.
According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.
On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.
He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.
He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.
Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.
He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.
A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.
The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.
Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.
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