NSC Inaugurates New Boards For Nigeria Para Sports Federations, Charges Leaders To Drive Reform

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has successfully conducted elections and inaugurated the new boards of Nigeria’s Para Sports Federations, charging the newly elected officials to align their programmes with the Commission’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE) agenda.

The elections, which covered several Para Sports Federations, were widely described as free, fair and credible, producing new leadership across Amputee Football, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, Para Soccer, Para Swimming, Para Volleyball and Para Badminton.

In the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation, former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Opukiri Michael Jones-Ere was elected President, while Joshua Dauda Bungon emerged as Vice-President.

For the Para Athletics Federation, Etti Rafiu Olawale was elected President, with Mohammed Musa Nafiu becoming Vice-President.

In Para Powerlifting, delegates unanimously elected sports philanthropist Kingsley James Awodi as President, while Chief Akutekwe Patrick (MON) was chosen as Vice-President.

The Nigeria Para Soccer Federation elected Alhaji Kaka Mallam as President, with Sherifat Bola Araoye emerging as Vice-President.

In Para Swimming, Adeyemi Adeshina Adeola was elected President, while Dr Ahmed Alao became Vice-President.

The Para Volleyball Federation elected Muhammed Abbah Isa as President, with Hon. Jim Okolo taking the position of Vice-President.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko described the sports federations as the foundation of Nigeria’s sporting development and urged the newly elected boards to focus on building enduring legacies through professionalism, innovation and effective leadership.

“What we have successfully done today is to provide you with the platform to contribute your quota towards building a sustainable sports economy, particularly within the Nigerian Para Sports community,” Dikko said.

He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, remains committed to transforming Nigerian sports, stressing that Para Sports occupy a strategic place in the administration’s broader sporting vision.

“Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is very intentional about his revolution for Nigerian sports, and Para Sports are a vital part of that aspiration,” he stated.

Also speaking, NSC Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade congratulated the newly elected executives, expressing confidence in their ability to strengthen the ongoing reforms within the nation’s sports sector.

“The outcome of these elections has demonstrated that Nigerian sports is becoming increasingly attractive to individuals who can add value to the ongoing reform agenda,” Olopade said.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the development of Para Sports, describing the sector as central to the NSC’s strategic objectives.

“Para Sports remain a key priority for the National Sports Commission. We have every confidence that the newly elected boards possess the capacity and experience to complement the Commission’s efforts in taking disability sports in Nigeria to even greater heights,” he added.

The inauguration marks another step in the NSC’s drive to reposition Nigerian sports through improved governance, institutional reforms and greater investment in inclusive sporting development under the RHINSE framework.