Abuja: Malam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has announced ongoing efforts to rebrand the Nigerian sports sector to attract more investors. Dikko shared these insights during the executive board meeting of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), which included all heads of sports federations in the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting aimed to establish a framework to revamp the system, thereby enhancing its appeal to potential investors. Dikko emphasized the importance of aligning the vision of sports federation presidents with the broader objectives set by President Bola Tinubu. "We see the sports federation presidents as our operational officers; they are the ones on the field, and are the ones driving the individual sports, as well as the ones driving the vision that we are working on," he mentioned.
Dikko highlighted President Tinubu's commitment to leveraging sports as an economic driver, noting that the president is keen on sports contributing significantly to job creation and social impact. "Tinubu is very intentional about sports development; he believes sports should be a key driver of the economy," Dikko stated.
He also pointed out the president's strategic move to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, placing sports development directly under his supervision. This move, according to Dikko, has brought a sense of calm and focus within the industry. The recent success of the Sports Festival was cited as an example of what can be achieved through collective effort.
Habu Gumel, President of the NOC, urged sports federations to rise to the challenge and ensure Nigeria's prominence in the global sports arena. He expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts between the Nigerian Olympic Committee, national federations, and the NSC.
Gumel acknowledged the persistent challenge of funding but expressed hope for a new era with increased support from the private sector. "The National Sports Commission and the government are doing their best, and we are reaching out to the private sector to ensure their support," he said.
The meeting was attended by representatives from 28 sports federations, including the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Nigeria Aquatics Federation, and Nigeria Basketball Federation, among others.