Shaibu Calls for Collective Action to Reposition National Institute for Sports

Posted : 22 July 2025

Philip Shaibu, Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), has called for a united and strategic effort to restore the glory of the oldest sports institution in Africa.

Shaibu made the call during the inauguration of a high-powered advisory committee tasked with repositioning the NIS for greater efficiency. The event was held at the Awoture Eleyae Conference Hall, National Stadium, Lagos.

He emphasized that the transformation of the NIS should be a collective effort involving all stakeholders within the sports value chain.

Highlighting the importance of the committee, the former Deputy Governor of Edo State said the group is expected to deliver a blueprint that will usher the NIS into a new era—one defined by innovation, inclusiveness, and global competitiveness.

In a brief interview on the sidelines, Shaibu said the committee's task is to chart a strategic direction that would strengthen the NIS’s ability to deliver on its core mandate.

“This job is not about me—it’s about all of us as Nigerians. All committee members are Director-Generals of the NIS; I’m just one of them,” Shaibu said.

He added:

“NIS plays a critical role in Nigeria’s sports development. The President is passionate about youth and the future of sports in Nigeria. When NIS was founded, it was intended for both Nigeria and Africa. Our mandate is to restore it to its original purpose.”

Shaibu also stressed that the committee would work in close synergy with his office to ensure the institution’s objectives are met.

“We will work tirelessly to restore the NIS’s mandate and its former glory, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he concluded.

Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Musa Kida, echoed the DG’s sentiments, affirming that the committee has a clearly defined mandate.

“We now have short-, medium-, and long-term plans for the NIS. These plans define where the institution should be in the next 10 years. I don’t think the task is insurmountable,” Kida said.

He emphasized that the committee’s strategy aligns directly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Veteran sports journalist and committee member Godwin Enakhena also outlined the high expectations placed on the team.

“This is a national service assignment. We are here to redirect and revive sports. The NIS, as it stands, exists only on paper—from infrastructure to curriculum, it needs a total overhaul,” he said.

Enakhena added:

“In the past, some of us were critics. Now it’s time to walk the talk—we cannot afford to fail. With the calibre of individuals appointed, Nigerians should expect nothing short of what the DG envisions and what the nation needs.”

“The NIS today looks like an institution on the verge of extinction. We want to change that. We’ll develop policies that will bring meaningful change, drawing lessons from the German, French, and American sports models to move NIS forward.”

Notable Advisory Committee Members Include:

Mike Itemuagbor – CEO, Padmozi Sports International
Prof. Ken Anugweje – Renowned sports science expert
Dr. Kweku Tandoh – Former Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission
Mary Onyali – Five-time Olympian, two-time Olympic medallist
Coach Austin Eguavoen – Former Super Eagles coach and international
Dr. Alex Mana – Retired international referee and sports administrator
Professors: Florence Adeyanju, Clement Fasan, Raimi Moronfolu, Sadiq Abdullahi
Andrew Abbah – Veteran media professional

Shaibu Calls for Collective Action to Reposition National Institute for Sports

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