Tinubu Elevated Sports To Economic Driver, Says NSC Chairman

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is repositioning the sports sector as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum in Kaduna, Dikko declared that the elevation of the Federal Ministry of Sports into a full-fledged Commission was part of a broader strategy to remove bureaucracy, inject professionalism, and drive private sector participation in sports development.

According to him, the President’s vision is to ensure that sports contributes at least 3% to Nigeria’s GDP while creating up to three million direct and indirect jobs.

“The Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy is a bold move to unlock the potential of sports as a national economic asset,” he said.

The NSC chairman noted that Tinubu now has sports matters directly under his purview, describing it as a “top-level commitment” never seen before in the sector.

He mentioned that the budgetary allocation to sports has increased by over 200%, underscoring the administration’s seriousness.

He asserted that Nigeria is already witnessing results. “In the past year, we have hosted more international tournaments than at any time in our history. Last week alone, we had three international competitions—athletics in Abeokuta, arm wrestling in Abuja, and karate with over 140 countries represented,” he revealed.

Dikko further stated that local sports development is also being prioritised, with support to federations, the revival of school sports, and partnerships with the Federal Ministry of Education to integrate sports from primary to tertiary institutions.

“As we speak, Nigerian university athletes are in Germany for the World University Games, school pupils are in Algeria for the African Youth Games, and basketballers are in African competitions. This shows our grassroots and talent development system is active again,” he added.

On infrastructure, he announced that the federal government is rehabilitating iconic stadia such as the Abuja National Stadium, Lagos National Stadium, and the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

He further praised Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for agreeing to invest billions to transform the Kaduna Stadium into a sports city.

“We are also working with Plateau, Benue, and other northern states to revive their facilities. In this fiscal year alone, about 45 new sports complexes are expected to be established across northern Nigeria,” he stated.

Dikko called on state and local governments to align with the president’s vision by investing in grassroots and community sports infrastructure.

“Mini-sports centres under bridges or in communities can help engage youth, reduce insecurity, and promote unity,” he said.

He also disclosed plans to build a Special Economic Sports Zone in partnership with relevant ministries to facilitate the domestic production of sports equipment in Nigeria, operating under a tax-free structure.

Describing sports as Nigeria’s most unifying force, he said, “When the Super Falcons win, the whole nation unites. No other sector breaks our fault lines like sports does. That’s why President Tinubu said we must use it as a tool for economic growth and social cohesion.”

The NSC chairman concluded that the outcomes of the Renewed Hope Agenda will ensure that sports reforms become more visible in the coming years, positioning Nigeria as a global leader in talent export and sports.