The chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has urged sports officers and professionals within the National Sports Federations to wholeheartedly embrace the Commission’s revitalised vision, which aims to reposition Nigeria’s sports sector in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mallam Dikko made this appeal while opening a two-day capacity-building workshop for sports officers themed “Reset, Refocus, and Relaunch the Nigerian Sports Sector for Greater Performance.”
He emphasised the necessity of collective responsibility and commitment to achieving the Commission’s RHINSE vision, a pivotal policy initiative centred on sustainable sports development.
“You are the essential key drivers of this vision. If you fail to align, the task becomes significantly more challenging,” he stated. “You are among the most capable, forward-thinking, and invaluable assets within the Commission. If we collaborate, success is assured.”
The chairman underscored the significance of returning to grassroots sports development as a foundation for international success. He referenced the Federal Executive Council’s recent endorsement of the “Nigeria First” policy, which prioritises the enhancement of internal capacity and local services.
“For the first time, the Commission has a targeted budget aimed at delivering the necessary infrastructure to enable you to perform at your best,” Dikko affirmed. “We are working on the concessioning of facilities in Lagos, Kaduna, Ibadan, and Bauchi to ensure they are fully utilised.”
Dikko also praised the Secretaries-General for their contributions but encouraged them to urge their respective federations to adopt a more responsive and results-oriented approach.
“We must alter the negative narrative surrounding the Commission. Our goal is to create three to four million jobs through sports. E-sports alone boasts over three million active participants in Nigeria,” he remarked. “In 2024, some Nigerians earned between $200 and $300 from E-sports. This potential is one we must harness.”
He added that President Tinubu is particularly invested in developing local teams and establishing domestic competitions that yield results and economic opportunities.
Earlier, the director-general of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, urged the sports officers to take a proactive stance and collaborate as a cohesive team to achieve enhanced results.
“As stakeholders of this Commission, you must be bold, proactive, and never allow yourselves to feel intimidated. The Commission is fully supportive of you,” Olopade assured.
The President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, commended the workshop’s organisers and encouraged the officers to work closely with their federation presidents to advance their federations.
Mr. Olumide Bamiduro, the director of the Federation and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), highlighted that the workshop was designed to recognise and empower the officers, who are crucial to the sector’s advancement.
“Your diligence and hard work are pivotal for the progress of sports in Nigeria. I urge you to make the most of this retreat to implement the Commission’s new policies and vision,” he stated.
Hon. Gboyega Oyebade, the commissioner of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), also addressed the participants, stressing the importance of developing and tracking their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in line with the operational Performance Management System (PMS) across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
“The PMS is intended to enhance the Commission’s accountability, results-orientation, and focus on measurable targets,” he concluded.