New Sports Vision Unveiled by NSC Chair Shehu Dikko: “Focus on Domestic Development, Economic Impact”
ABUJA/Nigeria: ABUJA, Nigeria – The newly appointed Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has announced a strategic shift for Nigerian sports, steering away from mere participation in competitions toward a robust domestic sports development model. His vision, aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader economic goals, aims to position the sports sector as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s national economy.
During Wednesday’s handover from the former Minister of the now-defunct Ministry of Sports, Senator John Enoh, Dikko outlined a vision centred on sustainable development, stating that the focus of the NSC will be to strengthen the foundations of Nigerian sports, fostering a long-term approach where results emerge naturally from well-built structures.
“We cannot continue to operate in cycles,” Dikko noted, “and, as President Tinubu strongly believes, it is high time we moved away from the ‘consumption’ mindset of spending scarce resources abroad on competitions without any tangible impact on the domestic sports ecosystem or Nigerian economy.” He stressed the importance of shifting towards “production” by building a structured sports development system that will serve as a solid foundation for a thriving sports economy and ultimately lead to competitive performances on the global stage.
In outlining his strategic priorities, Dikko emphasised three primary objectives for his tenure:
- Positioning Sports as a National Asset: Dikko described sports as an essential national asset deserving of special privileges and regulations to unlock its potential as a driver of economic growth, national cohesion, and cultural identity. “We will work on legislation and regulations to set up a framework that will enable the industry to grow, akin to the transformation seen in the communications sector years ago,” he said.
- Infrastructure Development: Stressing the need for purposeful, world-class sports infrastructure, Dikko asserted that new facilities would be designed with both professional sports and grassroots participation in mind, aiming to foster widespread engagement in physical activities across communities nationwide. “Our infrastructure must be deliberate, inclusive, and equipped with a maintenance culture to sustain growth over time,” he explained.
- Economic Impact Measurement: Dikko emphasised the economic ambitions underpinning the sports reforms, projecting that sports should contribute at least 3% to Nigeria’s GDP within the next four to five years. “We aim to measure our success by the jobs created within the sports value chain and the sector’s overall GDP contribution,” he highlighted, with a keen eye on Nigeria’s growing international competitiveness.
Dikko praised President Tinubu’s decision to reinstate the National Sports Commission, which he described as a visionary move, enabling the sports sector to operate with a focus on professionalism and international standards, free from bureaucratic hindrances.
The new chairman also laid out a detailed plan for the NSC’s operations, which will prioritise:
- Structural Organisation: This involves positioning the NSC to efficiently implement policies and frameworks that support growth.
- Private Sector Engagement: Dikko aims to invite private investments into talent development and infrastructure, creating an attractive environment for external contributions.
- Capacity Building: He plans to restructure sports federations and bring in skilled personnel and partners to drive optimal performance.
- Policy Development: New policies, strategies, and legislation will be developed to protect and advance sports in Nigeria, including amendments to the NSC Act to reflect international best practices.
- Funding Solutions: The NSC will work to address financial challenges and secure stable funding for sports, creating an environment conducive to President Tinubu’s goal of a sustainable sports economy.
In his closing remarks, Dikko underscored that the NSC’s direction is one of transformation, focused on creating a “professional governance framework” that prioritises excellence and positions Nigerian sports as a pillar of economic and social development.
With these pillars in place, the NSC under Dikko’s leadership aims to drive Nigeria’s sports sector into a new era where it plays a critical role not only in national pride but also as a significant player in the nation’s economic landscape.
