FEDERATION HEADS APPLAUD TINUBU’S DIRECT COMMITMENT TO SPORTS GROWTH
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Key figures in Nigerian sports have praised President Bola Tinubu for his proactive approach to developing the sector, calling his leadership a turning point for the country’s sporting prospects, Sunday media reports.
The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), National Sports Commission (NSC), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the boxing and sambo federations applauded Tinubu’s reforms in sports funding and his commitment to the timely release of resources to athletes and sporting organizations.
NOC President Habu Gumel commended the President for recognising the socio-economic potential of sports and appointing capable leaders to drive the sector forward.
“On behalf of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, I wish to express our profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his hands-on approach to sports development. The timely release of funds has been a game-changer, allowing the leadership to achieve milestones previously thought unattainable,” Gumel said.
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He highlighted the appointments of Shehu Dikko as Chairman and Bukola Olopade as Director-General of the National Sports Commission as strategic moves in advancing sporting excellence.
The NOC reported that Nigerian athletes won 373 medals in international competitions in 2025, with N50 billion in private sector investment secured and over 140,000 jobs created.
NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade noted that Tinubu’s reforms had restored confidence in the administration of sports.
“We now have a President who understands that sports is not only about winning medals but also about building an economy around them. His directive to end delayed funding has enabled proper planning and adequate support for our athletes,” Olopade said.
NFF President Musa Gusau praised Tinubu’s dedication to football development, noting that the Super Eagles’ bronze medal at AFCON 2025 reflected improved preparation.
“President Tinubu’s intervention came at the right time. Streamlined funding will eliminate the bureaucratic bottlenecks that have long hindered sports. We can now focus on building sustainable programs rather than constantly chasing funds,” Gusau said.
Azania Omo-Agege, a board member of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, described the President’s involvement as transformative for combat sports.
“We have witnessed real change in how boxing is supported. The President’s hands-on approach ensures our athletes attend international competitions fully prepared and on time,” Omo-Agege stated.
The Vice President of the Nigeria Sambo Federation added that presidential attention had strengthened focus on funding, infrastructure, and athlete welfare.
“President Tinubu’s proactive engagement in sports is a timely and positive development. It signals that sports are being recognised not just as recreation, but as a strategic tool for youth development, national unity, and economic growth,” he said.
Stakeholders noted that the long-term success of these reforms will depend on their ability to strengthen institutions. “If the President’s involvement leads to clearer policies, faster decision-making, and greater accountability across federations, Nigerian sports will be better positioned to compete consistently at continental and global levels,” they said.
President Tinubu has directed immediate reforms to end decades of poor funding and delayed resource allocation for sports, instructing the Ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and the Budget Office to ensure adequate annual provisions for sports starting from the 2026 fiscal year.
He further ordered that all appropriated funds be released promptly once the budget is passed, declaring that Nigerian athletes deserve certainty, not excuses.
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