Tinubu has high sports to the economic driver – President of the NSC

The president of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, said that the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is repositioning the sports sector as the main contribution to the economy of Nigeria pursuant to the renewed agenda of hope.

Speaking during a forum of the parties interested in Kaduna, Malam. Dikko said that the elevation of the Federal Sports Ministry in a Commission in all respects is part of a wider strategy to remove bureaucracy, inject professionalism and guide the participation of the private sector in sports development.

According to him, the president’s vision is to make at least 3% contribute to the Nigerian GDP contributed with a direct and indirect jobs at least 3%.

“The renewed hope initiative for the Nigerian sports economy is a bold move to unlock the potential of sport as a national economic activity,” he said.

The president of the NSC has observed that President Tinubu now has sports issues directly under his table, describing it as a “high -level commitment” never seen before in the sector.

He said that the budget allocation to sports increased by over 200%, underlining the gravity of the administration.

He said Nigeria is already witnessing the results. “In the last year, we have hosted multiple international tournaments than at any time in our history. Only last week, did we have three international competitions: Athletics in Abokuta, Wrestling Arm in Abuja and Karate with over 140 countries represented,” he revealed.

Dikko also said that the development of local sport is also a priority, with support for federations, awakening of school sports and partnerships with the federal ministry of public education to integrate sports from primary institutions to tertiary.

“While we are talking, the athletes of the Nigerian University are in Germany for World University Games, school pupils are in Algeria for games for young Africans and basketballs are in competitions in Africa. This demonstrates our basic development system and our talent development system is active again,” he added.

On infrastructures, he announced that the federal government is rehabilitating iconic stadiums such as the National Stadium of Abuja, the National Stadium of Lagos and the Ahmadu Stadium Bello in Kaduna.

He praised the Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for accepting to invest billions to transform the Kaduna stadium into a sports city.

“We are also working with Plateau, Benue and other northern states to revive their structures. In this tax year alone, it is expected that about 45 new sports complexes present themselves through northern Nigeria,” he said.

Dikko invited state and local governments to align with the vision of the president by investing on the basis and sports infrastructures of the community. “Mini sport centers under bridges or communities can help involve young people, reduce insecurity and promote unity,” he said.

He also revealed the plans to build a special economic sports area in collaboration with the pertinent ministries to tame the production of sports equipment in Nigeria, operating under an exempted structure.

Describing sport as the most unifying force of Nigeria, he said: “When the Super Falcons win, the entire nation joins. No other sector breaks our fault lines as sport does. This is why President Tinubu said that we have to use it as a tool for economic growth and social cohesion”.

The head of the NSC has concluded that the results of the renewed agenda of hope will guarantee that sports reforms will become more visible in the coming years and will position Nigeria as a global leader in the export of talents and in sport.