Sports
The Game of New Thinking: How Federation Secretaries Are Powering a New Era for Nigerian Sports
Joel Ajayi
There is a quiet revolution happening in Nigerian sports. At the heart of it is a bold new strategy by the National Sports Commission (NSC), and it’s beginning to yield tangible dividends. This new thinking has found expression in one of the most critical layers of the sports ecosystem—the secretaries of national sports federations.
In a move that industry observers have hailed as both strategic and timely, the NSC recently executed a major shakeup—reassigning secretaries to federations where their expertise, passion, and vision align more closely with the goals of each sport. The results are already turning heads.
One shining example is the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), where a newly launched initiative, Raising Athletics Champions Everywhere (RACE), is making waves. The project led by AFN Secretary Isreal Inwang, RACE has been approved for grant funding by World Athletics—a significant endorsement of Nigeria’s reimagined approach to grassroots sports development.
The project aims to increase grassroots participation in athletics among children aged 6 to 14 by integrating the Kids’ Athletics program into schools nationwide.
It will train 1,000 Physical Education (PE) teachers, establish sustainable athletics clubs in primary and secondary schools to engage 4,000 children, and implement a nationwide tracking system to monitor young athletes’ progression from beginner to elite level.
By reaching 774 schools per year, the project promotes inclusive access to athletics, develops young talent, and aligns with the World Plan for Athletics by expanding participation and embedding athletics into the education system.
With the right leadership and support as offered by the NSC and sports federations themselves , secretaries can drive innovation, foster talent development, and position their sports for local and international success.
These moves will see improved outcomes at respective federations.
In cricket, the Nigerian U-19 team delivered a historic performance at the World Cup, finishing 5th globally—an unprecedented feat for a country previously considered a minor player in the sport. That success didn’t just happen overnight. It was the result of meticulous planning and renewed vigor at the Nigeria Cricket Federation, where the new secretary has been instrumental in laying a foundation for global competitiveness.
Basketball, too, has seen a resurgence. After a sluggish start to the AfroBasket qualifiers, D’Tigers mounted a remarkable comeback to secure their qualification. The turnaround was not merely athletic—it was administrative. Behind the scenes, strategic planning and robust support from the federation’s secretariat played a pivotal role in ensuring Nigeria remained on course.
In para-badminton, Nigeria’s athletes soared in international circuits, clinching medals in Spain’s Toledo and Victoria tournaments, and shining again at the African Championships in Cameroon. Table tennis has followed suit, with Nigeria impressing at the ITTF circuit, securing qualification and further cementing its place as a continental powerhouse.
Meanwhile, the nation’s Paralympic athletes are proving their mettle as well—three gold medals have already been secured in Jordan at the time of reporting. These successes point to a consistent theme: sports federations are becoming better organized, more visionary, and increasingly result-driven.
Much of this transformation can be traced back to the leadership at the NSC. Under Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade, the Commission has embraced “positive disruption” as a guiding principle. Their mandate to restructure, refocus, and reset the Nigerian sports sector is paying off—not just in medals and rankings, but in restored confidence.
And indeed, they are delivering. Last month, a national age-grade swimming tournament was organized to spotlight and nurture young talent. It is part of a broader commitment to long-term planning—a shift from reactive sports administration to a sustainable model built around discovery, development, and discipline.
In this unfolding story of renewal, the federation secretaries are not just placeholders —they are visionaries, architects of a better future for Nigerian sports. Thanks to their passion, initiative, and unwavering commitment, the game of new thinking is no longer just a slogan. It is a movement—one that is powering Nigerian sports to new heights.
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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