Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, a prominent sports entrepreneur and chairman of the board of trustees of the Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiative, has urged the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the director general, Hon. Bukola Olopade, to prioritise their work in Nigeria’s sports sector rather than embarking on international trips.
In his statement, Gombe emphasised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not appoint them to spend their time travelling abroad. He pointed out that since their appointments, both Dikko and Olopade have left Nigeria on 12 occasions for various international events, yet have not engaged in any sports deals related to Mr. President’s e-sports economy agenda.
“It was particularly embarrassing to see the NSC Chairman travel to an African country to serve as a CAF match commissioner,” Gombe remarked. “If Dikko wishes to continue as a CAF match commissioner, he should resign from his role as NSC Chairman, as the responsibilities do not align. His inadequacies in the NSC role are becoming increasingly apparent.”
Gombe contended that Dikko’s position is crucial—akin to being Nigeria’s Sports Minister—and should aim to elevate Nigeria’s reputation rather than diminish it. “This is not the League Management Commission; this is the National Sports Commission. Bukola Olopade, as chair of the all-important National Sports Festival Committee, should concentrate on his role as the NSC’s administrative lead instead of following athletes everywhere.
Such tasks should be handled by the Presidents of the sports federations.”
He insisted, “They must remain in Nigeria and focus on their work. Unfortunately, since their appointments, Nigeria’s sports scene has lacked clear direction. They speak of sports economy while merely presenting images and videos to deceive the President rather than implementing concrete strategies.”
The statement continued, “You cannot manage sports through the media. Sit down with your DG and get to work. Stop functioning as if you are a permanent secretary or managing director of a company; you are supposed to operate alongside a board of directors, as stipulated in the act that established the NSC.”
Gombe warned that any arbitrary decisions made by the Chairman or the DG could be deemed illegal and challengeable in a court of law, as they must adhere to the NSC Act.
“Many stakeholders are not being included as part of Nigeria’s sports framework due to your arbitrary decision-making, affecting the funding and support they could receive.”
He recalled the federal government circular that limits how often public officials may travel abroad at the public’s expense, stressing that all trips should be sanctioned by the board. “It is the sports federation chairpersons who ought to travel with their teams—not you. Since your appointments, there has been a complete lack of initiatives that would positively affect Nigerian sports, merely consisting of receiving visitors and globetrotting.”
Moreover, Gombe criticised Hon. Olopade’s decision to appoint his friend Yusuf Ali to the Podium Finish project, questioning the legitimacy of the training grants being distributed to elite athletes. “Nigerians are asking who these athletes are, what categories they belong to, and where they reside. We demand transparency regarding the $20,000, $10,000, and $5,000 awarded to these so-called elite athletes.”
In addition, Gombe queried who granted Mallam Dikko the authority to approve such funds without board consent and what criteria were applied in this decision-making process. “This is not how a government should operate,” he noted.
He lamented the lack of facilities in Nigeria meeting CAF or FIFA standards for hosting international football matches, apart from Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. He highlighted the Remo-Ikene Stadium, built by Chief Kunle Soname, as the only venue in the South West suitable for CAF matches, critiquing the NSC officials for their lack of engagement in improving Nigeria’s sports infrastructure.
With the recent success of Remo Stars FC in winning the NPFL Cup, Gombe posed a pressing question: “Where will the team play their continental matches?”
