NSC Kicks Off Technical Session of 2nd National Council on Sports

Posted : 28 November 2025

The National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade, on Tuesday officially opened the Technical Session of the 2nd National Council on Sports in Calabar, Cross River State.

This Technical Session serves as a critical component of the Council’s broader agenda to strengthen Nigeria’s sports sector, aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

During the opening, Director-General Olopade described the Technical Session as the “engine room” for sports policy formulation, where actionable recommendations shaping the future of Nigerian sports are developed. He noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda has already accelerated progress in infrastructure renewal, athlete development, governance reforms, and private-sector collaboration. Olopade reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the RHINSE Framework, which promotes commercialization, enhances athlete welfare, and drives long-term structural transformation across the sports ecosystem.

Presenting the 2025 objectives of the Council meeting, Dr. Olufisayo Funke Darryl-Odiaka, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, highlighted key priorities, including strengthening federal–state coordination, improving athlete welfare, enhancing competition readiness, ensuring timely funding, addressing operational challenges, and establishing clear implementation timelines for all states.

In her welcome address, Cross River State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu, outlined the state’s achievements, including the Agbokim Green Marathon, the Nigerian Women League Championship, the Skate-Ta-Thon, the Queens Cup, and the revival of the Governor’s Cup. She praised Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to leveraging sports for youth empowerment, economic growth, and community development, and invited delegates to the 2025 Carnival Calabar.

Goodwill messages were delivered by Comrade Philip Shuaibu, Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, who commended ongoing reforms and encouraged the Commission to sustain progress. He was followed by Mr. Maxwell Utobo, Director of Sports, Ebonyi State, and Mario Wanny, Vice President of the Mixed Martial Arts Federation. All three praised the renewed professionalism in the sports ecosystem and encouraged continued commitment to excellence.

A key highlight of the session was a technical paper presentation on Risk Management and Insurance in Sports by EMPLE Nigeria. The presentation advocated for comprehensive insurance policies, including athlete life insurance, travel insurance, event insurance, and liability coverage—essential components for modern sports administration.

The Technical Session also featured the submission of various Council Memos from multiple NSC departments, including the National Sports Festival and Para-Sports Department, the Grassroots Sports Development Department, and the Anti-Doping Department. These memos, which cover program updates, new proposals, and policy recommendations, will be forwarded to the Council Plenary Session for final approval and adoption.

The Technical Session will continue with contributions from states, directors, and sports experts, whose insights and recommendations will shape the final resolutions to be adopted later in the week.

NSC Kicks Off Technical Session of 2nd National Council on Sports

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