Former chairman of the defunct League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko, has been appointed as chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC).
His appointment comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu scrapped the Ministry of Sports Development and had its functions transferred to the National Sports Commission in order to improve efficiency in sports development.
Senator John Owan Enoh, former minister of sports development was reassigned as minister of state for trade and investment.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) Established in 1971 was scrapped by the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
The reinstatement of the National Sports Commission and appointment of Shehu Dikko to lead the commission a crucial time when Nigeria’s sports industry is under serious scrutiny after Team Nigeria failed to win a single medal at Paris 2024 Olympics and many calling for a reform that will help restore the country’s lost glory in sports.
Dikko, an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is expected to leverage on his wealth experience in sports management to foster development and bring a lasting impact on Nigeria’s sporting landscape.
Dikko began his journey in sports administration in 2004 when served as the FIFA Goal Project manager (lin Nigeria, organizing several club tours between English Football Clubs – Portsmouth F.C. and Manchester United alongside Kano Pillars F.C.
In 2008, he became a consultant for the House of Representatives committee on sports, a role he held until 2011and helped in drafting the National Sports Commission bill for the National Assembly.
Before going into professional football administration, Dikko worked in the private sector between 1991 and 2004. He lead Nigeria Premier Football League.
Meanwhile, chairman of the House committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his decision to scrap the Ministry of Sports and replace it with the National Sports Commission, NSC.
According to the lawmaker, representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal constituency of Zamfara State in the House of Representative, the decision of Mr President is a welcome development and one that is totally supported by the National Assembly.
“I think Mr President should be highly recommended for this bold decision to return the Sports sector to a Commission”.
“This has always been the position of the House Committee on Sports that a Sports Commission is what the country needs for effective Growth of the sector”.
“Mr President just spoke the minds of many Sports stakeholders and we hope this is the beginning of a new chapter that will enhance the development of our Sports .”
“The advantages of having a Sports Commission cannot be overemphasized because it will pave the way for the right professionals to manage the Sports Sector “.
