Sports

Sports Minister Canvasses Massive Private Sector Investment In Sports

Published

3 years ago

November 1, 2023

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has advised investors and major players in the private sector to take advantage of incentives put in place by the current administration to invest massively in the sports sector.

Delivering a lecture titled, “Sports Development as a Panacea for National Unity and Economic Development”, at the National Defence College in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister described sports in Nigeria as an untapped goldmine for economic development. He said that sports have the capacity to provide gainful employment to millions of youths and other unemployed Nigerians if properly harnessed.

He said,” The new vision and thinking of government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu classifies sports as business. It is the right approach to jumpstart the desired transformation of sports in our country. I therefore invite the private sector, investors, civil society, and the global sports community to join the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its effort to fully unlock the economic potential of sports in Nigeria and in the process, unleash one of the most consequential transformations of the 21st century.”

It is for this reason he said the Ministry of Sports Development under his leadership is committed to the implementation of the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) with incentives for investors. Senator Owan Enoh stated that sports have the potential for wealth creation, employment generation, and the ability to make substantial contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He lamented that this huge potential had been squandered due to inaction and missed opportunities.

The minister assured prospective investors and Nigerians that the Ministry of Sports Development will create an enabling environment for sports to thrive not just as a recreational activity, but as a business.

“I want to assure stakeholders in this critical sector and sports-loving Nigerians that as a government, we are committed and determined to ensure the full implementation of this policy document in order to harness the transformative capacity of sports for the economic development of our country”, he said.

As a universally acclaimed unifying force, he described sports as a unique connective rod that binds people together. Senator John Owan Enoh reiterated the commitment of the Tinubu-led administration to transform the sports sector, a vision that informed the decision to create a separate Ministry of Sports Development.

Apart from formulating policies and implementing programs aimed at developing sports at the grassroots level within the institutional framework which includes the National Sports Festival (NSF), National Youth Games, and Sports Development Centers among others, he listed some focus areas the ministry would pay full attention to under his leadership. These include expanding and improving School Sports Games, implementing a strategic plan to define the growth path for discovered talents, improving welfare for athletes, and Public-Private Partnerships for the upgrade of essential sports infrastructure.

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Sports

29 Days To AACT 2026: IBB Club Renewal Heralds Nigeria’s African Golf Showcase

Published

5 hours ago

October 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With 29 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is stepping up preparations to host the continental women’s team golf championship, with the extensive rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja providing a major boost to the country’s readiness.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja Director of Communication AACT 2026, Kayode Adeniyi said the Club’s Board of Trustees has assured that the facility will be fully prepared to welcome golfers, officials and delegates from across Africa when the championship tees off on November 2.

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at the Club, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.

The IBB International Golf and Country Club has undergone extensive rehabilitation following its closure to regular golfing activities for more than a year. The intervention has focused on the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities required to provide a befitting venue for the continental championship.

Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme would be completed in time for the AACT, further reassuring stakeholders that the Club would be ready to host Africa’s leading female golfers.

Chairman of the Club’s Interim Management Committee, Peter Deshi, also expressed optimism over the progress of work, with regular golfing activities expected to resume ahead of the championship.

For the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the readiness of the host venue remains a critical component of the country’s preparations.

President of the Association, Dr. Lami Ahmed, has similarly expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations to stage a successful championship.

The 2026 AACT is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

With the countdown now entering its final month, the rehabilitation of the Club is sending a strong message about Nigeria’s determination to deliver a successful championship and provide a worthy stage for Africa’s finest female golfers.

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