Sports
Odedede Bags Award of Excellence, Spotlights Business Opportunities in Sports at ABU Career Lecture
Cyril Ogar
Zaria, Kaduna State — A leading sports consultant, Godspower A. Odedede, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace entrepreneurship within the sports sector as a pathway to economic empowerment and national development.
Odedede made this call while speaking at the 3rd Career Lecture organized by the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The event, held at Yusuf Bala Usman Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, focused on the theme: “Human Kinetics and Health Education Profession in Nigeria.”
Declaring the lecture open, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, emphasized the institution’s commitment to advancing the discipline. He disclosed that efforts are on top gear to upgrade the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education into a full-fledged faculty, attributing the initiative to the policy direction and support of the Federal Ministry of Education aimed at strengthening sports and related disciplines in Nigerian universities.
In his presentation, Odedede provided deep insights into the economic potential of the sports industry, noting that although Nigeria has a large youth population and strong passion for sports, the sector contributes minimally to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
He described the sports industry as a multi-billion-dollar global enterprise with vast untapped opportunities in Nigeria.
He identified key areas for entrepreneurial engagement, including sports event management, sports academies, sports equipment business, fitness and wellness centres, and sports media platforms.
He also highlighted opportunities in dance, recreation, and sports tourism, stressing that these sectors are expanding rapidly due to increasing urbanization and health awareness..
“The sports industry is no longer just about participation; it is about innovation, business, and job creation,” Odedede stated, urging students to develop relevant skills in business management, branding, and digital marketing.
Earlier in her keynote address, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Niger State, decried the declining attention given to physical and health education in Nigerian schools. She called for urgent reforms, improved funding, and better policy implementation to restore the subject’s relevance in the education system.
Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, commended the organizers and encouraged students to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the sports sector through discipline and professionalism.
The Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commander-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, was represented by the Kaduna State Commandant, who underscored the importance of sports in youth engagement and national unity.
In his remarks, the Head of Department, Dr. S. U. Omeiza, noted that the lecture was designed to expose students to diverse career paths and practical opportunities within the field.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of Awards of Excellence to distinguished personalities, including Odedede, Prof. Bola Florence Adeyanju, National President of NAPHER-SD, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, and several other notable contributors in recognition of their outstanding impact on sports development, education, and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
The event attracted students, academics, and stakeholders who described the lecture as insightful and timely, particularly in redefining the future of human kinetics and health education in Nigeria.
Sports
NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.
Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.
The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.
“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.
“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”
Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.
He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.
Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.
“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.
He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.
On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.
Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.
“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”
“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.
“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.
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