NSC boss Dikko pledges support for school sports

National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko has reaffirmed his dedication to developing school sports in Nigeria during a meeting with a delegation from the Nigeria School Sports Federation led by its President Temitope Olabisi on Monday, The PUNCH reports.

During the meeting, Dikko, who displayed an inscription bearing the message “Yes! To School Sports,” emphasised the importance of collaboration between the NSC and NSSF in achieving their shared objectives for grassroots sports development.

The discussion focused on strategies to enhance school sports programmes across the country, including fostering partnerships, improving infrastructure, and encouraging greater participation among students.

The NSC chairman’s commitment to grassroots development comes amid plans to significantly boost sports infrastructure across the country, following the Federal Government’s increased allocation to the sports sector in the 2025 fiscal year.

Speaking at the House of Representatives Committee on Sports budget defence session last Tuesday, Dikko revealed plans to construct 100 mini-stadiums nationwide as part of efforts to boost sports development at the grassroots level.

“The commission is committed to revitalising Nigeria’s sports sector in line with global best practices,” Dikko told the committee.

The House Committee chairman Kabiru Amadu had earlier commended President Bola Tinubu for tripling the sports budget from N29.08bn in 2024 to N94.95bn in 2025, representing a 227 per cent increase.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hereby commended for this giant stride in budgetary allocation to the sports sector. We hope this increment will mark a significant turning point in the development, administration, and management of sports activities in Nigeria,” Amadu said.

The NSC continues to advocate for the integration of sports into the educational system as a vital tool for youth empowerment and national progress.

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