The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled an ambitious plan to create at least two million jobs and raise sports’ contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to three per cent, as part of efforts to transform the sector into a major driver of economic growth.
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the boards of four sports federations at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Dikko said the commission was shifting attention from the traditional emphasis on medals and competitions to building a commercially viable sports industry capable of attracting investment, creating employment and improving livelihoods.
He said the strategy, known as the Renewed Hope Initiative for the Nigerian Sports Economy, was designed to unlock the sector’s economic potential and create sustainable opportunities for athletes, coaches, administrators and other professionals.
According to him, the commission has identified more than 28,000 jobs associated with sports, covering direct, indirect and induced employment, as part of efforts to demonstrate the industry’s capacity to generate wealth.
The NSC chairman also disclosed that Nigeria won 375 medals across various sports at international competitions in 2025, describing the achievement as unprecedented.
He charged the newly inaugurated federation boards to align their programmes with the commission’s vision by strengthening grassroots development, improving administration, investing in infrastructure and creating clear pathways for athletes to compete internationally.
“If the federations succeed, we succeed,” Dikko said, stressing the need for cooperation between the commission and the federations to achieve sustainable progress.
On infrastructure development, he revealed that the commission had secured presidential approval to establish a sports infrastructure development bond, with plans to raise more than ₦1 trillion in an initial phase through the capital market.
The proposed financing mechanism is expected to support the development and rehabilitation of sports facilities, improve talent development and create opportunities to attract major competitions and private investment.
Beyond sporting competitions, the initiative is expected to stimulate employment in facility management, event organisation, broadcasting, merchandising, sports medicine, marketing and sports tourism.
Benson Unveils Padel Development Plan
Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated President of the Nigeria Padel Federation, Hon. Babajimi Benson, has unveiled plans to attract investment, establish training academies and develop infrastructure to position padel as a major sporting attraction in Nigeria.
Benson, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, said the federation would focus on effective governance, grassroots participation and professional opportunities for young Nigerians.
He explained that his decision to lead the federation was informed by the opportunities the fast-growing sport offered Nigerian youths, particularly their athletic abilities and potential to excel.
According to him, padel offers career opportunities beyond professional playing, including coaching, club management, sports administration and participation in national and international competitions.
“Padel gives them a platform whereby they can grow and gives them opportunities to either be into coaching, being in clubs, representing the country, representing their clubs and participating in international events,” he said.
Benson said Nigeria must position itself to benefit from the sport’s international growth rather than allow other countries to dominate its development.
“Nigeria must not simply watch that growth happen. Nigeria must be part of it, and ultimately, lead it in Africa,” he said.
He identified four priorities for the federation: expanding participation, developing talent, establishing a world-class competitive structure and building a sustainable organisation anchored on sound governance.
To broaden participation, Benson said the federation would work to increase the number of players, clubs and courts while expanding the sport beyond Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt to other parts of the country.
Schools, universities, corporate organisations and local communities would also be encouraged to embrace the sport.
On talent development, he said the federation would establish pathways for junior players, women, girls and high-performance athletes, while investing in the training of coaches, referees and tournament officials.
The federation also plans to introduce national competitions, rankings and championships, alongside stronger collaboration with the International Padel Federation and African partners to bring Nigerian players and officials in line with international standards.
Benson expressed the ambition to make Nigeria a destination for major padel competitions, noting that this could create opportunities for athletes, clubs, investors and other players in the sports industry.
He, however, stressed that achieving these goals would require sound governance, reliable data, technology, strategic partnerships and a sustainable commercial model capable of attracting sponsors and private investors.
“Sport cannot thrive on enthusiasm alone. We need strong governance. We need technology and reliable data. We need partnerships. And we need a sustainable commercial model,” he said.
NSC Charges Federations on Good Governance
Also speaking, NSC Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, urged sports federations to embrace unity, sound administration and peaceful dispute resolution, describing cooperation as essential to the development of Nigerian sports.
Olopade commended the new leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation for conducting a peaceful election despite previous controversies within the federation.
He said the commission had continued to intervene in disputes affecting sports administration, citing disagreements involving judo and football as examples of efforts to promote stability.
“Sport is a family thing. We all must be united at all times,” he said.
The director-general also highlighted the commission’s regulatory powers under Section 16 of the law establishing the NSC, which he said provides for the licensing of sports federations and the withdrawal of licences where necessary.
He explained that some of the federations being inaugurated had been constituted through appointments by the commission rather than elections.
Olopade said basketball, fencing, arm wrestling and padel had the potential to generate employment, empower young people and improve Nigeria’s performance at international competitions.
He identified fencing, arm wrestling and padel as sports with prospects for winning medals at the African Games, while expressing optimism that basketball could improve its medal haul under the new leadership.
The four federations inaugurated were the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Nigeria Arm Wrestling Federation, Nigeria Fencing Federation and Nigeria Padel Federation.
The commission urged the new boards to prioritise good governance, talent identification, grassroots development and cooperation with the NSC and other stakeholders to strengthen the country’s sports industry.Tags
National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, Sports Economy, Two Million Jobs, Nigeria GDP, Renewed Hope Initiative, Babajimi Benson, Nigeria Padel Federation, Bukola Olopade, Sports Development, Sports Infrastructure Bond, Nigeria Basketball Federation, Nigeria Arm Wrestling Federation, Nigeria Fencing Federation, Youth Employment, Sports Investment
