NIS Partners NSCDC For Coaches, Elite Athlete Development

The National Institute for Sports (NIS) has secured a partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for the development of their sportsmen and women to achieve optimal performance.

The bilateral relationship was formalised when the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NIS, Comrade Philip Shaibu, led the Institute’s management on a courtesy visit to the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Abubakar Audi, at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja.

Comrade Shaibu, during his address, briefed the Commandant General on the progress made by the NIS under his leadership, which includes the resuscitation of the institution.

“I am the first person appointed by the President, not a minister, to be the Director General and CEO of the National Institute for Sport. So it was instructive that I was appointed directly and given the mandate to restore NIS to what it ought to be: a centre of excellence for coaches and athletes. A very small mandate but a very tall order.”

“When I took over, I travelled to Lagos from Abuja to inspect the facilities, as is customary. And when I arrived, obviously, just as everyone knew, NIS was a shadow of its former self, with dilapidated facilities and a significant shortage of manpower due to retirements and a failure to replace those who had left. So there was neglect, total neglect by previous administrators, especially the ministers,” he stated.

While commending the corps personnel who were among the 474 graduates of the 2025 Basic Certificate coaching course for their conduct and performance, Shaibu further thanked the NSCDC for enrolling their personnel for the Basic Certificate course in Abuja. He noted that the NSCDC’s commitment to sports is clearly evident in their trophy cabinet.

In response, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Abubakar Audi, praised Philip Shaibu for restoring the NIS to its former glory. He also pledged maximum cooperation from the corps in the training of their coaches and elite athletes.

> “You see, when you put the right person in the right place, you experience progress. Some of us with a background in physical and health education know the importance of this institution.”

> “The National Institute for Sports, we know that in those days, produced coaches, facility managers, sports administrators across all sports.”

> “I don’t know what more to say about it, but we are happy and delighted at this time that God has brought you to revamp and revive that place. And be rest assured of our support; we will continue to send our personnel, especially those in sports, coaches and athletes, for programmes at the NIS,” Dr. Audi remarked.

The National Institute for Sports held its graduation ceremony on Thursday, 18th December 2025, where approximately 500 coaches were awarded a Basic Coaching Certificate, including five coaches from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.