JUST IN: NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko Meets Tinubu in Abuja, Details Emerge

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, on Thursday met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to present a report on the commission’s 2025 performance and outline plans for 2026.

Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, Dikko described the visit as routine, explaining that the commission reports directly to the President.

“It’s just a normal visit. The Sports Commission reports to Mr. President, so we came to brief him on what we have done last year and the stage of execution of the approvals he has given us, as well as our plans for 2026,” he said.

Dikko said the President expressed satisfaction with the commission’s achievements and reiterated his commitment to developing a sports-driven economy.

“Mr. President is very happy and excited with the progress, and he is still giving the unwavering support and push that we need to deliver on the mandate to create a sports economy in Nigeria,” he stated.

Highlighting key achievements in 2025, Dikko disclosed that Nigeria secured nearly 375 medals in various competitions. He added that the sports sector contributed about 1.2 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product in the third quarter of the year.

According to him, the sector also attracted approximately ₦50 billion in private investment and generated close to 140,000 jobs across the sports value chain through direct, indirect and induced employment.

“Sports is no longer being measured only by medals. It is being measured by what it contributes to the GDP and how many jobs it creates,” he said.

Dikko noted that the commission is implementing the “Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy,” aimed at strengthening both competitive success and economic returns from sports.

He emphasised the importance of accelerating sports infrastructure development nationwide, covering elite and grassroots levels.

On grassroots development, he said notable progress had been made, including the introduction of Invited Junior Athletes as the “38th state” at the last National Sports Festival to identify emerging talents.

He also cited Nigeria’s performances at the African School Games in Algeria and the African Youth Games in Angola, alongside the launch of Intermediate Games for athletes under the ages of 18 and 20.

Dikko added that the commission is working with the Federal Ministry of Education to revive school sports competitions such as principal’s cup tournaments, with funding provisions already included in the 2026 budget.

“We have given a definitive directive to all sporting federations: if you are not showing us what you are doing at the grassroots and domestic level, we cannot support you to go for international competitions,” he said.

On anti-doping compliance, Dikko revealed that President Tinubu had approved the constitution of the board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Agency following the signing of the anti-doping bill last year.

He said the move fulfils key requirements set by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

“One of the conditions WADA wanted to see achieved was the constitution of the board. Mr. President has now approved that. Nigeria has been declared a clean country in sports, so we are on the right track,” he explained.

Speaking on football matters, Dikko confirmed that the Nigeria Football Federation had filed a complaint with FIFA over alleged irregularities in the World Cup qualification process, with the case currently under review.

“The relevant bodies in FIFA are dealing with it. We are confident we have a good case, but we have already put the World Cup behind us. Whatever happens, it is what it is,” he said.

He clarified that independent FIFA committees would determine the outcome in line with established regulations.

Dikko also presented a jersey to the President in appreciation of his support, praising what he described as unprecedented backing for the sports sector.

“Sports is time-sensitive. If funds are not released according to schedule, it becomes a problem. Mr. President has directed that once the budget is passed and signed, funds meant for sports should be released immediately so that we can plan and progress effectively,” he added.