President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the newly appointed Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, to revitalize sports in Nigeria and establish its significance in national development, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.
This directive was conveyed during a meeting at the State House, Abuja, where discussions centered on transforming sports into a viable economic and unifying force for the nation.
President's Vision for Sports Development
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Dikko, a former Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), emphasized President Tinubu's keen interest in the sports sector. He revealed that their deliberations included Nigeria's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, payment of outstanding allowances for the Super Eagles, and the creation of a national sports academy to harness and nurture young talent.
Dikko stated, “The President understands the stabilizing role sports play in our nation and its potential to generate revenue, employment, and unity. He supports the idea of sports being recognized as a national asset.”
Declaring Sports a National Asset
Dikko advocated for a national policy declaring sports a critical asset, enabling it to benefit from legislative and executive support. This, he explained, would allow sports to contribute significantly to Nigeria's GDP and employment rates.
“Our goal is to ensure sports contribute at least 3% to the GDP while creating over three million direct and indirect jobs in the next five to six years,” Dikko said. He also highlighted the need for investment in infrastructure to ensure every region in the country has world-class facilities to drive grassroots development and competitiveness on the global stage.
World Cup Ambitions and Roadmap
Addressing Nigeria's qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, Dikko assured that decisive steps would be taken to secure a place in the tournament. He emphasized the importance of synergy between the NSC, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), and the Presidency in achieving this goal.
“The World Cup ticket is within reach, and with focused efforts, the Super Eagles will be ready to perform at their best in upcoming matches,” he said.
Grassroots Development and Unity Through Sports
Dikko underscored sports as a tool for national unity, noting its unique ability to bridge social and ethnic divides. He also highlighted the importance of grassroots initiatives to identify and nurture talent while leveraging Nigeria's vibrant sports market to attract foreign investments and generate revenue through the export of talent.
Accompanying Dikko at the meeting were NSC Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka.
A Renewed Commitment to Sports Excellence
With President Tinubu’s commitment and Dikko's ambitious roadmap, Nigeria is poised to witness a transformation in its sports landscape. The focus on infrastructure, grassroots development, and strategic planning aims to position Nigeria as a global sports powerhouse in the coming years.
Oluwayemi Omolagba