The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has called on sports officers and professionals under the National Sports Federations to fully align with the Commission’s renewed vision aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s sports sector in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mallam Dikko made this known while declaring open a two-day capacity-building workshop for sports officers with the theme: “Reset, Refocus, and Relaunch the Nigerian Sports Sector for Greater Performance.”
He emphasized the importance of collective responsibility and commitment in achieving the Commission’s RHINSE vision, a key policy initiative focused on sustainable sports development.
> “You are the fundamental key drivers of this vision. If you fail to align, the task becomes much more difficult,” he said. “You are among the most competent, forward-thinking, and valuable assets within the Commission. If we work together, success is guaranteed.”
The Chairman reiterated the importance of returning to grassroots sports development as a foundation for international success. He cited the Federal Executive Council’s recent approval of the “Nigeria First” policy, which emphasizes the development of internal capacity and local services.
> “For the first time, the Commission has a targeted budget focused on delivering the right infrastructure to enable you to perform better,” Dikko stated. “We are working on the concessioning of facilities in Lagos, Kaduna, Ibadan, and Bauchi to ensure they are fully optimized.”
Dikko also commended the Secretaries-General for their efforts but urged them to push their respective federations to be more responsive and results-driven.
> “We must change the negative narrative about the Commission. We aim to create three to four million jobs through sports. E-sports alone has over three million active players in Nigeria,” he noted. “In 2024, between $200 to $300 was earned by some Nigerians from E-sports. This shows potential we must tap into.”
He added that President Tinubu is particularly interested in developing local teams and creating domestic competitions that will deliver results and economic opportunities.
Earlier, the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, urged the sports officers to adopt a proactive approach and work as a unified team to achieve greater results.
> “As stakeholders of this Commission, you must be bold, proactive, and never allow yourselves to be intimidated. The Commission is fully behind you,” Olopade assured.
In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, commended the organizers of the workshop and encouraged the officers to work collaboratively with their federation presidents to move the federations forward.
The Director of Federation and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), Mr. Olumide Bamiduro, said the workshop was designed to recognize and empower the officers, who are the key drivers of the sector.
> “Your diligence and hard work are crucial for the progress of sports in Nigeria. I encourage you to take full advantage of this retreat to implement the Commission’s new policies and vision,” he said.
Also speaking, the Honourable Commissioner, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Hon Gboyega Oyebade, emphasized the need for officers to develop and track their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), in line with the operational Performance Management System (PMS) in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
> “The PMS is designed to make the Commission more accountable, results-oriented, and focused on measurable targets,” he concluded.
