The Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has provided a decisive leadership highlight to the 2025 National Council on Sports in Calabar as he formally approved and signed the Technical Session Report and declared the Council closed—marking a major step in Nigeria’s evolving sports reform agenda.
By endorsing the resolutions of the Technical Session chaired by the Director General NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade and steering the main Council meeting to a close, the Chairman firmly positioned the NSC’s vision, strategic reforms and investment-focused approach at the centre of the country’s sports development trajectory.
Mallam Dikko noted that the Calabar Council produced far-reaching resolutions designed to accelerate sports development, create sustainable jobs and strengthen the business climate for private investment. He charged sports administrators nationwide to remain focused, united and adopt positive, reform-driven approaches that will stimulate inclusive growth across the sports ecosystem.
Delivering his keynote address, Dikko expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold support and guidance to the Commission. He emphasized that the President’s reforms have eliminated unnecessary bureaucracy, restored clear governance structures and expanded opportunities for professional sports management.
“We must thank the President for taking bold and intentional decisions to reset the sports sector. The creation of the new National Sports Commission has strengthened institutional frameworks and ignited a governance culture based on professionalism, accountability and commercial awareness,” he stated.
The chairman explained that under the President’s leadership, sports have been reframed not merely as recreational or competitive activities but as a strategic driver of economic expansion, social cohesion, youth engagement and national projection.
He added that the Commission has adopted a strategic private sector engagement model with regulatory frameworks designed to encourage investment and sustainable funding, while also developing modalities to generate revenue internally.
He listed ongoing initiatives including: the upscaling of the NSC Act 2023, strengthening zonal centres, the Diaspora Athletes Development Board, the National Sports Infrastructure Development and Management Board, the National Dispute, Arbitration and Resolution Board, and the National Sports Development Fund.
The Chairman urged sports administrators to dismantle bottlenecks and work toward ensuring that sports are placed directly under the oversight of state governors for more effective funding, similar to the federal structure. He thanked delegates for their dedication and expressed confidence that their collective efforts would drive Nigeria’s prosperity and global sports visibility.
Mallam Dikko also expressed gratitude to the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Prince Bassey Otu, for hosting the Council and for the warm hospitality received in Calabar.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Director General of the National Sports Commission and Chairman of the Technical Session, Hon. Bukola Olopade, commended the depth of discussions that shaped the resolutions submitted for approval.
“My Chairman, I commend you. Your tenure has shown that some of the best brains in Nigeria, as you always emphasize, are found in sports. Stakeholders made profound arguments and supported the Commission’s direction,” he said.
Olopade urged sports leaders nationwide to promote investor participation, attract proper funding and focus on the social impact of sports—beyond medals—as a tool for national development. He also encouraged northern states to host more national championships to boost youth engagement.
He disclosed that athletes across the country won more than 375 medals this year, describing the success as a shared achievement of the NSC and stakeholders.
The Director General of the National Institute of Sports, Comrade Philip Shuiabu, in his goodwill message, stressed the need for stronger business frameworks in sports management.
“We all agree that the government’s role is to build infrastructure while the private sector drives,” he said.
A presentation also showcased NSC’s accomplishments in one year, including structural reforms, global breakthroughs, economic expansion, repositioning of the National Institute of Sports, capacity building and school sports development.
At the close of the Council, a Communiqué was issued approving several key resolutions, including:
Commendation of NSC leadership for adopting a business-oriented and pragmatic approach
Reduction in the number of sports for competitive events
Sanctions against age-cheating
Approval for the development of a national anti-doping policy
Mandatory centralized and verifiable insurance coverage for state contingents
A ₦10 million fine for any state whose team is disqualified or withdraws accreditation
Inclusion of business community representatives in the National Council on Sports
It was also announced that Lagos State will host the next edition of the National Council on Sports.
Signed
Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi, FCAI, ANIPR
Director Information and PR
November 29, 2025
