…SETS UP IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
…Says Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is Rebuilding Nigeria’s Sports Foundation
By Babatunde Nurudeen
The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports (NIS), Dr. Philip Shaibu, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming the Institute into a true Centre of Excellence, promising that the long-awaited reform blueprint submitted by the NIS Transformation Committee will not gather dust on the shelf.
Speaking during the formal presentation of the report in Abuja, Shaibu commended the 32-man committee led by Engr. Musa Kida, who is also the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), for their diligence, passion, and professionalism in producing what he described as a “live document” that will shape the future of sports administration and development in Nigeria.
According to him, the federal government—under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—has made it clear that sports must play a central role in national development, youth engagement, and economic diversification.
Shaibu emphasized that the NIS, as the engine room for sports excellence, must return to its original mandate of training top-class coaches, administrators, and technical experts who can produce world-class athletes for the nation.
“This will not be another document that goes under the table or sits on the shelf,” Shaibu assured.
“By the grace of God, we are ready to implement every recommendation to the benefit of our country. The NIS management will work with a newly constituted Implementation Advisory Committee, to be chaired again by Engr. Musa Kida, to ensure that the reform agenda is executed seamlessly.”
He further explained that the decision to retain the same committee leadership was strategic, noting that “those who produced the document understand its spirit and intention better than anyone else.”
Shaibu added that each of the 36 states will soon have an NIS zonal office, a step aimed at decentralizing operations and expanding access to training opportunities nationwide.
Shaibu also praised President Tinubu for placing the right people in critical sectors to rebuild Nigeria’s foundation through reforms across the economy, including sports, oil, and banking.
“Reforms are difficult,” he said, “but after the reforms, peace and progress will come. The Nigeria of our dreams will emerge.”
In his remarks, Committee Chairman, Engr. Musa Kida, described the report as a “live document” that reflects broad perspectives and innovative ideas from diverse professionals, academics, and sports administrators. He expressed optimism that the recommendations, if properly implemented, would reposition the NIS as the continent’s leading sports training hub.
“Our subcommittees worked tirelessly and independently to ensure that this report is balanced and forward-thinking,” Kida said. “This is not a final document—it is a living framework that can evolve with time, but it captures the immediate priorities for revitalizing NIS.”
Beyond his committee role, Kida—who also chairs the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC)—drew parallels between the ongoing transformation in NNPC and the NIS reforms, saying both institutions aim to regain public trust through transparency, excellence, and service to the nation.
“Our vision at NNPC Limited is for Nigerians, especially the youth, to feel the same joy when they think of NNPC as they do when the Super Eagles score a goal against Brazil,” Kida said.
“That sense of pride, ownership, and unity is exactly what we also want to see in Nigerian sports.”
The event also featured reminiscences about the golden era of Nigerian sports, with Shaibu recalling how the NIS once trained legendary athletes like Emmanuel Okala, who credited the Institute for instilling a culture of excellence and teamwork that propelled Nigeria to international success.
Shaibu concluded by urging the media and sports stakeholders to join hands with the NIS in driving the reform agenda, noting that effective communication will help Nigerians understand and support the process.
“Sports is a unifying force that knows no religion or ethnicity,” he said. “Our goal is to restore that spirit of unity and excellence so that Nigerians can celebrate victories again without anxiety or calculations.”
The submission of the NIS Transformation Report marks a new phase in the institute’s revival, with the federal government pledging to turn the recommendations into actionable results that will reposition Nigeria as Africa’s leading sporting powerhouse.
