Sports

Shaibu to Igoche Mark: Don’t Give Up on Nigerian Basketball

Published

3 weeks ago

September 7, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, has urged basketball promoter and initiator of the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Igoche Mark, to remain committed to the development of basketball in Nigeria.

Shaibu made the call on Monday in Abuja when he received Mark, who visited the institute to assess basketball coaches currently undergoing training under his sponsorship.

“I want to thank you for stopping by to see some of our students. I am told that you are sponsoring quite a number of them, and I am confident that this partnership will yield results,” Shaibu said.

The NIS boss stressed the need for greater private-sector participation in sports development, noting that dependence on government funding alone was no longer sustainable.

“We have positioned the NIS to be private sector-driven, and that is how it should be. Over-reliance on government funding is no longer sustainable,” he said.

Shaibu described the NIS as the “engine room of sports”, saying the institute plays a critical role in developing human capacity across the sporting ecosystem.

“For us at the NIS, we understand that this institute is the engine room of sports. It is responsible for the empowerment of the sporting ecosystem. Anyone working in the sports sector is supposed to pass through here for training.

“I thank you for what you have done for basketball, and I plead with you: do not give up on basketball,” he added.

Earlier, Mark commended Shaibu for the transformation recorded at the NIS, describing the development as a reflection of the DG’s track record in sports administration and development.

“We were here in 2022, but coming here today and seeing the level of transformation, I am not surprised. Knowing what you did in Edo, I know that excellence has always been part of you. With people like you in this country, there is hope because you turn things around,” Mark said.

He explained that his visit was primarily to monitor the progress of the basketball coaches undergoing training at the institute.

“I came here today to see the basketball coaches undergoing their training programme. I believe this is the first time we are having such a large number here — 20 students.

“I came to encourage them. These were players before, and now they are transitioning into coaching. But without proper certification, they cannot function on the international scene because you cannot sit on the bench without it,” he said.

Mark said he was committed to strengthening his partnership with the NIS to improve the quality of coaching in Nigerian basketball.

“I am here to partner with the NIS and see how we can upscale their knowledge. The Mark D’ Ball Championship will soon launch an academy, and we will need these coaches. We will also explore how we can partner further and engage FIBA going forward,” he added.

Shaibu also disclosed that the NIS had expanded its operations through the establishment of six zonal centres, with one located in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

According to him, the Abuja and Lagos centres will oversee degree-awarding programmes, while the zonal centres will offer Advanced Diploma and Diploma programmes. State centres, he added, will focus on basic certificate programmes.

He further revealed that the institute had introduced weekend programmes, while executive online classes are expected to commence next year.

Mark, meanwhile, encouraged the coaches to maximise the opportunities provided by the NIS, assuring them of his continued support and sponsorship for further training programmes.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

8 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

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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