By Muhyideen Jimoh

As President Bola Tinubu marks his second year in office, his administration has embarked on transformative reforms aimed at revitalising the  Nigeria’s sports sector.

Tinubu, long hailed as a master strategist in the political arena, unveiled a sporting vision that seeks to turn passion into profit and athletes into assets.

Central to this vision is the re-establishment of the National Sports Commission (NSC), a strategic move designed to fast-track the development of a robust sports economy.

In October 2024, the President, in his usual bold innovative style, dissolved the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and transferred its functions to the newly revived NSC.

Malam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, both astute sports administrators with enviable track records, were subsequently appointed as Chairman and Director-General of the commission, respectively, with a mandate to steer the sporting ship to a podium finish.

Dikko, upon assuming duty at the NSC, emphasised the need for a holistic approach to sports development, moving beyond mere medal pursuits to fostering grassroots participation, talent identification, and infrastructural growth.

“We must change our mindset from the fixation of just competitions and winning medals and focus on our domestic sports development.

“When we set the foundation right, the results and the winning of medals will naturally come in a sustainable manner,” Dikko said.

Similarly, Olopade stressed the importance of professionalism and effective leadership in sports administration to get the country back on track.

“Sports cannot be run like other government activities because of its dynamic nature.

“Making the NSC oversee the administration of sports is a significant achievement,” he added.

President Tinubu as a mark of his commitment to increase investment in sports and make the sector a significant contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has set down a marker.

In a clear departure from the past, the 2025 federal budget allocated over ₦94 billion to the sports sector, marking a 227% increase from the previous year.

These funds are earmarked for the rehabilitation of key facilities, including the National Stadium in Lagos, Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, and Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, with plans to transform them into world-class sports cities through public-private partnerships.

The Chairman House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu while commenting on the budget, commended the Tinubu-led administration for increasing the budget from N29 billion to over N94 billion.

“The President of Federal Republic of Nigeria has tripled the budget of the sports from N29,082,369,979:00 in 2024 to N94,947,006,325:00 in 2025.

“The leap in the expenditure framework represent 227 per cent  increment. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hereby commended for the giant strides in the budgetary allocations to the sports sector.

“It is our hope and belief that, the increment in budgetary allocation would mark a turning point in the development, administration and management of sports activities in Nigeria,” Amadu said.

To further drive President Tinubu’s vision for a vibrant sports economy in line with international best practices, the NSC inaugurated the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE) to serve as the blueprint for this transformation.

Under RHINSE, the NSC aims to position sports as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s GDP, targeting a 3 per cent contribution and the creation of at least three  million jobs across the sports value chain by 2029.

Dikko said that the vision includes the establishment of an Anti-Doping Laboratory to enhance Nigeria’s standing in international sports and generate foreign exchange.

Both Dikko and Olopade have reiterated that the NSC will continue to partner with the private sector to achieve its lofty goals, as government alone cannot do it.

To this end, the NSC initiated partnerships with corporate entities like MTN Nigeria, among others.

These collaborations aim to boost sponsorship opportunities, enhance athlete support, and create a sustainable sports ecosystem.

The leadership of the NSC has articulated a vision for a comprehensive sports development model that prioritises grassroots engagement, talent identification, and infrastructural enhancement.

This approach seeks to build a sustainable sports economy that not only produces champions but also contributes to national development through job creation and economic diversification.

Stakeholders say President Tinubu’s second year in office has heralded a new era for Nigeria’s sports sector.

They, however, stressed that to fully achieve these goals, all hands must be on deck, and the private sector must be fully involved, as Nigeria undoubtedly has abundant talents but has continued to struggle administratively to harness and transform the sector.

Harrison Jalla, Chairman of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task Force, while assessing President Tinubu’s scorecard in the sector, commended him for increased funding for sports.

“On funding, President Tinubu did excellently well, he is arguably the best thing to have happened to Nigerian sports in terms of funding,’’ he said.

The ex-international, however urged the President to immediately constitute a board for the NSC in order to make its operations constitutional.

“To give legal backing to the activities of the National Sports Commission, President Tinubu must, without further delay, inaugurate the National Sports Commission Board in consonance with the National Sports Commission Establishment Act 2023.

“The National Sports Commission remains a defective structure without a functional Board, and all its activities currently lack the force of law,’’ he said.

Legendary former Green Eagles captain and sports administrator, Segun Odegbami at a recent public lecture identified the power of sports as a strong force that can change the world in all ramifications.

He therefore urged the Federal Government to continue to explore the endless possibilities in the power of sports as a social and economic driver.

As President Tinubu enters the second half of his term, stakeholders are of the view that Nigeria’s sports sector finally has a fighting chance to fulfill its potential.

But the journey from ambition to achievement will require political will, private sector participation and institutional discipline. (NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.