Nigeria’s sports sector contributed 1.2 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2025 and generated approximately 140,000 jobs across its value chain, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has disclosed.
Dikko made the revelation after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on the Commission’s 2025 performance, key presidential approvals, and projections for 2026.
Describing the meeting as a routine engagement, Dikko said the President expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded in the sector.
“It was a normal visit to brief Mr President on what we achieved last year, the approvals he graciously granted, the stage of execution, and our plans for 2026. So far, so good. The President is very happy and excited about the progress,” he said.
Highlighting major milestones in 2025, Dikko noted that Nigerian athletes won nearly 375 medals in international competitions, while the sector attracted about N50 billion in private sector investment under the “Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy.”
He explained that the Commission has adopted a broader performance framework that goes beyond medal counts.
“We are no longer measuring sports by medals alone. We are measuring it by contribution to GDP and job creation. Last year, we induced almost 140,000 jobs — direct, indirect, and induced — across the sporting ecosystem,” he stated.
On regulatory compliance, Dikko confirmed that President Tinubu approved the board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Agency, following the signing of the long-awaited anti-doping bill. The development, he said, has restored Nigeria’s compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
“After almost 20 years, the anti-doping bill was signed last year. Now the board has been approved for constitution. Nigeria has been cleared and recognised as a clean country in sports,” he added.
Addressing Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup prospects, Dikko described the competitive process as concluded but noted that a legal matter remains pending before FIFA. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had lodged a protest over the alleged use of ineligible players by DR Congo in the African play-off final.
“World Cup is a closed chapter for us competitively, but the legal matter is pending. The relevant independent bodies within FIFA will decide,” he said, expressing optimism that Nigeria could still be reinstated for March’s intercontinental play-offs.
Dikko also underscored the Commission’s renewed focus on grassroots development. Initiatives include designating junior athletes as a symbolic “38th state” at the National Sports Festival, introducing intermediate games for Under-18 and Under-20 categories, and partnering with the Ministry of Education to revive school sports nationwide.
“We have directed all sporting federations that if they are not developing grassroots and domestic competitions, we will not support them for international outings,” he declared.
He further revealed that President Tinubu has approved the fast-tracking of the 2026 sports budget to enhance planning and execution.
“What the President has done for sports has never been like this before. His decisive approvals and directive that budgeted funds for sports be released promptly will help us plan better and deliver results,” Dikko said.
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