The Senate and House Committees on Sports have concluded the 2026 budget defense session for the National Sports Commission (NSC), offering a resounding endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic overhaul of the Nigerian sports sector.
During the sessions held on February 11 and 12, lawmakers lauded the President for his “unprecedented” decision to place sports on a first-line charge funding status. This move effectively removes the bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically delayed the release of funds for international tournaments.
Legislators, including Senator Abdul Ningi (Senate Sports Chairman) and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, emphasized that sports cannot be funded like other sectors. They argued that because international competitions have fixed dates, funds must be provided in advance to ensure success.
“Since 1999, no President has shown more intention in prioritizing sports than President Tinubu,” said Senator Ningi. “Sports funds should be in advance; the Commonwealth Games will not wait for you to provide funds.”
Senator Kalu, drawing from his experience leading Enyimba FC to back-to-back CAF Champions League titles, added: “You don’t pay arrears in sports. I pushed money upfront, and that is why we got results no other Nigerian team has matched.”
The Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, presented a robust performance report for 2025, demonstrating that sports is no longer just a social service but a key economic driver:
Medal Haul: Nigeria recorded 375 medals across all sports in 2025.
Success Rate: Out of 50 international contingents supported, only two returned without medals.
Economic Impact: Sports contributed 1.2% to the national GDP in Q3 2025, a historic milestone for the sector.
Job Creation: The industry generated over 140,000 validated jobs (both temporary and permanent) within the last year.
House Committee Chairman Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu and Hon. Ahmadu Jaha credited the rapid progress to the President’s decision to appoint professionals to lead the NSC. They noted that the leadership of Dikko and Olopade has brought “groundbreaking innovations” and a level of inclusiveness never before seen in the ministry’s history.
The Joint Committees unanimously approved the NSC’s 2026 budget. Furthermore, in alignment with the President’s directive to provide “adequate funding,” the committees pledged to advocate for a total allocation of ₦460 billion. This increased funding is intended to:
Sustain Infrastructure: Upscale sports facilities nationwide in record time.
Broaden Scope: Continue supporting non-football sports like Scrabble and Chess, where Nigeria currently leads the world.
GDP Growth: Aim for a 4% annual contribution to the national GDP.
The NSC Chairman appealed to the committees to ensure that once the budget is assented to, all funds are released immediately to prevent the “non-release” issues currently plaguing other agencies.
