The National Sports Commission (NSC) has launched the Technical Session of the 2nd National Council on Sports in Calabar, Cross River State, under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director-General Honourable Bukola Olopade.
The Technical Session forms a major component of the wider Council activities being steered by the Commission toward strengthening Nigeria’s sports sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
During the opening, DG Bukola Olopade described the Technical Session as the engine room for sports policy formulation, where actionable recommendations guiding the future of Nigerian sports are shaped. He noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda has already accelerated progress in infrastructure renewal, athlete development, governance reforms, and private-sector collaboration.
Olopade reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the RHINSE Framework, which is driving commercialization, athlete welfare improvements, and long-term structural transformation across the sports ecosystem.
Presenting the 2025 objectives of the Council meeting, The Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Olufisayo Funke Darryl-Odiaka, highlighted key areas such as strengthening federal–state coordination, improving athlete welfare, enhancing competition readiness, ensuring timely funding, addressing operational challenges, and setting clear implementation timelines for all states.
In her welcome address, the Cross River State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu, outlined the state’s significant strides, including the Agbokim Green Marathon, the Nigerian Women League Championship, the Skate-Ta-Thon, the Queens Cup, and the revival of the Governor’s Cup.
She emphasized Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to using sports for youth empowerment, economic expansion, and community development. She also invited all delegates to attend the 2025 Carnival Calabar.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Comrade Philip Shuaibu, Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, who commended the ongoing reforms and encouraged the Commission to sustain the positive trajectory. He was followed by Mr. Maxwell Utobo, Director of Sports, Ebonyi State; and Mario Wanny, Vice President of the Mixed Martial Arts Federation. All three praised the renewed energy and professionalism in the sports ecosystem and encouraged continued commitment to “doing things right.”
A major highlight of the session was a technical paper presentation on Risk Management and Insurance in Sports by EMPLE Nigeria, advocating for the adoption of comprehensive insurance policies such as athlete life insurance, travel insurance, event insurance, and liability coverage—key components for modern sports administration.
The Technical Session also featured the presentation of various Council Memos from various stakeholders and departments of the Commission, including the National Sports Festival and Para-Sports Department, the Grassroots Sports Development Department, and the Anti-Doping Department.
These memos, which cover programme updates, new proposals, and policy recommendations, will be forwarded to the Council Plenary Session for final approval and adoption.
The Technical Session continues with contributions from states, directors, and sports experts, whose recommendations will shape the final resolutions to be adopted later in the week.
