Philip Shaibu, the Director General of the Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS), has renewed his call for the Federal Government to inaugurate the board of the National Sports Commission (NSC) without further delay, warning that the current situation is causing a steady decline in the country's sports sector.
Illegal Two-Man Board
Speaking after participating in the VIP category of the Okpekpe International Road Race over the weekend, Shaibu described the current arrangement where only two individuals — NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade — run the commission as illegal. He stressed that it is a disservice to the nation to allow such a small group to decide the fate of millions of Nigerians, especially more than two years after the Federal Government appointed a full board for the commission.
“I am a member of the board of the NSC, and that is why, consistently, I’m telling them, we need to constitute that board. Whatever they are doing there is completely illegal, so that board has to be constituted,” Shaibu said.
Potential for Turnaround
Shaibu expressed confidence that the full board would bring about a significant turnaround in Nigerian sports. “If the board is constituted, I can bet you, you’ll see the turnaround of Nigerian sport. I am saying this because then all the board members will bring their wealth of experience and passion into one basket to make it work,” he added.
He reiterated that President Bola Tinubu has a vision for Nigeria to become the number one destination for sports tourism. “Now that we have a leader that is interested in sports, we should make the best use of the opportunity. That is why I’m struggling, speaking out so that Nigeria will do the right thing. The board has to be constituted now,” Shaibu stated.
Stakeholder Concerns
Shaibu is among many stakeholders who have been urging President Tinubu to ensure the NSC board is constituted as required by law. Earlier this year, sports analyst Saab Ikewuaku raised concerns that the NSC is being run as a one-person shop, with officials making decisions that sometimes go against the country's interests. He noted that a board meant to have representatives from various interest groups in sports has become a corner shop where decisions are made without consulting those expected to analyze critical implementations.
