Sports Federation Bosses Commend Tinubu’s Proactive Reforms in Nigerian Sports

Top stakeholders and leaders of various sports federations in Nigeria have lauded President Bola Tinubu for his direct involvement and reforms in the sports sector, characterizing his administration’s “hands-on” approach as a historic turning point for the nation.

Leaders from the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), along with boxing and sambo federations, have collectively praised the President’s commitment to ending decades of bureaucratic delays and inconsistent funding.

NOC President Habu Gumel expressed profound gratitude for the President’s proactive measures, particularly the timely release of funds.

“The timely release of funds has been a game-changer,” Gumel stated, noting that these reforms have enabled the leadership to reach milestones previously considered unattainable.

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He specifically highlighted the appointments of Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade to the National Sports Commission as key moves toward achieving excellence.

According to data disclosed by the NOC, the impact of these reforms is already visible, with Nigerian athletes securing 373 medals in international competitions throughout 2025.

Additionally, the sector has attracted N50bn in private sector investment and generated over 140,000 jobs.

President Tinubu recently issued a directive to the Ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and the Budget Office to ensure that sports funding is treated with urgency.

He ordered that starting from the 2026 fiscal year, all appropriated funds must be released immediately upon the passage of the budget, asserting that athletes deserve “certainty, not excuses.”

NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade emphasized that the President views sports as a strategic economic driver rather than mere recreation.

Similarly, NFF President Musa Gusau noted that the streamlined funding process would eliminate bottlenecks that have historically frustrated football development in the country.

Leaders in combat sports, including board members of the boxing and sambo federations, also echoed these sentiments.

They noted that presidential attention has boosted athlete welfare and improved preparation for global competitions.

The federations maintain that if this momentum continues, Nigeria will be better positioned to compete consistently on the global stage, leveraging sports as a tool for youth development and national unity.