The strategy, according to the commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, is anchored in the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy, a policy framework that outlines both the guiding principles and measurable outcomes of the reforms.

“When we launched the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy, it clearly spelt out the fundamentals of what we want to achieve and the outcomes we expect,” Dikko told Tidesports source.

“You can see everything coming together, but we are just starting. As we have said, we have to do more, and we are going to do more.”

Dikko explained that hosting major competitions sits at the heart of that reset from the outset, and the commission resolved to pursue this as a catalyst for development deliberately.

“Because this is part of our vision and objectives from day one, we said we have to reset and refocus on our sport,” he said.

“Hosting major international events and conferences is part of that vision. We said whatever we are going to do, we have to be intentional and deliberate about it.”

The commission recently staged the Africa Running Conference and has already been offered the 2027 edition, a development Dikko believes underlines growing confidence in Nigeria’s capacity. He added that road running represents just one strand of a much wider ambition.

“It is not just about road running; it is about every sport. We want to be hosting events. That is the only way we can keep our infrastructure functional… and advance the sports economy we are talking about,” he said.

NSC Director General Bukola Olopade framed the hosting push as part of a broader production model designed to build talent and stimulate enterprise.

According to Olopade, Nigeria has sent more than 50 national teams to international competitions over the past year and hosted at least 12 events, in addition to domestic competitions such as the Gateway Games in Abeokuta.

“What we have consistently emphasised is the need to create a pool and a production line of talent, and to generate wealth by hosting international events in Nigeria,” Olopade told our correspondent, arguing that regular competitions on home soil provide athletes with exposure while strengthening the domestic sports market.

Dikko linked that approach directly to infrastructure renewal, pointing to provisions in the 2025 and 2026 federal budgets aimed at rehabilitating stadiums and facilities.

“If you check the 2025 and 2026 budgets, there is a major component dedicated to fixing infrastructure because without infrastructure, you cannot achieve much,” he said.

Dikko added that work is underway in partnership with state governments and private investors across the country.

“Where we want to build or rehabilitate a stadium, we are partnering with state governments and handing some facilities over to them. The Federal Government is also working with state governments to restore other stadiums since the President approved discussions with relevant authorities to bring back key facilities,” Dikko said.

“In Lagos, for instance, they are doing an excellent job rebuilding the National Stadium. They have almost demolished parts of it and are reconstructing it to meet modern standards. We are also handing it over to a private sector consortium that won the bid to manage and restore it.”

Olopade added that private sector involvement has been central to the commission’s momentum, crediting confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s reforms and the leadership team’s combined experience for attracting new commitments.

“With ease, Mallam Shehu Dikko can pick up the phone and speak to managing directors of multinational companies. I can do the same without hesitation. We have already put this into practice, and we are seeing traction,” he said.

He revealed that a private entity had committed to constructing a multi-million naira wrestling hall, while a gaming company had pledged to build a specialised facility for para-sports, adding that documentation was being compiled to demonstrate the direct and indirect economic impact of such initiatives.

Dikko also added that engagement with corporate Nigeria extended beyond headline sponsorship deals, disclosing that he recently met with representatives of the oil and gas sector in Abuja, where he urged them to look beyond organising sporting activities within their industry.

Just recently in Abuja, I hosted representatives from the oil and gas sector. Part of the discussion was that while they organise sports activities within their industry, they should also return to their companies and ensure that their CSR programmes invest in community sports infrastructure. Wherever they see available space in their communities, they should do something for sports,” Dikko said.

The commission’s ambitions have received public backing from President Tinubu, who announced a comprehensive reset of sports funding beginning from the 2026 fiscal year and pledging that sports funding will be released promptly going forward to avoid the bureaucratic delays that have historically disrupted preparation and participation.

For Dikko, the president’s endorsement signals a shift in how sport is viewed at the highest level of government.

Responding to early critics who dismissed the reform drive as rhetoric, he said recent developments spoke for themselves.

“Two weeks ago, Mr President personally tweeted on his official handle about the records of what sports achieved in 2025. Has that ever happened before in sports?” he questioned.

“There is nothing much to say; we are working. You can see what is happening.”

“Just recently in Abuja, I hosted representatives from the oil and gas sector. Part of the discussion was that while they organise sports activities within their industry, they should also return to their companies and ensure that their CSR programmes invest in community sports infrastructure. Wherever they see available space in their communities, they should do something for sports,” Dikko said.

The commission’s ambitions have received public backing from President Tinubu, who announced a comprehensive reset of sports funding beginning from the 2026 fiscal year and pledging that sports funding will be released promptly going forward to avoid the bureaucratic delays that have historically disrupted preparation and participation.

For Dikko, the president’s endorsement signals a shift in how sport is viewed at the highest level of government.

Responding to early critics who dismissed the reform drive as rhetoric, he said recent developments spoke for themselves.

“Two weeks ago, Mr President personally tweeted on his official handle about the records of what sports achieved in 2025. Has that ever happened before in sports?” he questioned.

“There is nothing much to say; we are working. You can see what is happening.”

The latest figures, released for 2025, show the NPFL earned 171.75 points, placing it outside the top 90 leagues globally and signalling a decline in the league’s comparative strength against other domestic competitions worldwide.
The IFFHS ranking methodology combines results from both continental and international club competitions, giving weighted consideration to club performances beyond regional contests. Analysts say the NPFL’s drop reflects inconsistent results by Nigerian clubs in continental tournaments and the growing competitiveness of leagues in other regions of Africa.

In Africa, Egypt’s Premier League maintained its position as the continent’s strongest league for a sixth consecutive year.
Morocco’s Botola followed, retaining a position on the African podium since 2018, while South Africa’s Premiership returned to the top three for the first time in 21 years. Algeria and Tunisia completed the continent’s top five.

Under the Confederation of African Football (CAF) five-year ranking, Nigeria sits 12th with 21 points, still allowing the country to enter two teams in each CAF club competition.
Globally, European leagues continued to dominate the upper ranks, with 12 of the top 20 and 29 of the top 50 leagues hailing from the continent.
South America contributed five leagues to the top 20, while Asia had two, and CONCACAF and Oceania had one league each.

THE Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed heavy sanctions on Kwara United FC following serious breaches of the league’s framework and rules during their re-arranged Match Day 22 fixture against Rivers United.

The Ilorin-based club was found guilty of failing to provide adequate and effective security, which allowed unauthorised persons to gain access to restricted areas.

In line with NPFL regulations, Kwara United has been fined N2 million for failing to provide adequate security and N1 million for failing to control their supporters.

An additional N2 million fine was imposed for assaults on match officials and Rivers United officials, alongside N1 million for unsporting behaviour. The club will also pay N1 million for holding match officials and Rivers United staff hostage for several hours after the game, and N2 million as compensatory costs for treatment and damages.
Beyond financial penalties totalling N10 million, Kwara United will suffer a deduction of three points and three goals from their accrued tally.

The club has also been ordered to play its remaining home fixtures at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Meanwhile, officials of Kwara United FC have condemned the attack on match officials in the encounter that ended 1-1.  Violence erupted off the pitch moments after the final whistle, as unruly elements stormed restricted areas, and allegedly attacked top league officials, including the Chairman of Chairmen of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Chief Okey Kpalukwu, and officials of River United FC.

The incident now casts a dark cloud over the NPFL season, raising fresh concerns about crowd control, stadium security, and the growing tension surrounding high-stakes domestic fixtures.

Eyewitness accounts described the scenes as “serious” as security personnel struggled to contain the situation, with officials and members of the visiting delegation hurriedly escorted out.
What began as frustration over the match result quickly spiralled into a chaotic spectacle that overshadowed the league match itself.

The Ilorin-based side, which distanced itself from what it described as the actions of “irrational elements,” however, pledged to identify and bring the culprits to book.

“We deeply regret the distress caused to all parties involved and extend our sincere and unreserved apologies to Chief Okey Kpalukwu, the Rivers United delegation, match officials, security personnel, and innocent spectators affected by these deplorable events,” the Club said.