In a country where change is often met with scepticism, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ marked a decisive shift in the development of sports in the country. By restructuring the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the President appointed Senator John Owan Enoh (otherwise known as Senator JOE) as the first Minister of the newly established Ministry of Sports Development. Despite initial criticisms questioning his suitability—given his background as a politician, teacher, farmer and philanthropist rather than a sports figure—Senator JOE has shown unwavering dedication to transforming sports, Sports Editor MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN reports
Most often than not, it is said that the more things change, the more they remain the same. However, from the outset, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’ demonstrated a firm commitment to the development of sports by restructuring the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. He appointed Senator John Owan Enoh as the first Minister of the newly established Ministry of Sports Development.
Despite criticisms stemming from his appointment—given that his biography described him primarily as a politician, teacher, farmer, and philanthropist, rather than a figure from the Nigerian sports ecosystem—Senator Enoh has been tasked with leading this crucial sector. Senator Enoh demonstrated his commitment to doing things differently and showed that he meant business. He engaged with stakeholders across various sectors, which an aide described as “the needed engagement with the stakeholders to determine where we were coming from and where we are going.”
“Over the past months, I have traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria, listening to everyone,” Senator Enoh said in his keynote address at the maiden National Council on Sports Meeting under the newly established Ministry of Sports Development in Enugu.
As he approaches his 58th birthday on June 4, Enoh’s efforts reflect his dedication to reshaping the sports landscape in Nigeria. “We have embarked on reforms that would reposition Nigerian sports globally and return us to our erstwhile greatness and also give our sports men and women that single thing they have sought for years – that Nigeria loves and cares for them as much as they love and care for Nigeria.”
He went further to underscore some of the ground-breaking partnerships the Ministry of Sports Development has forged with the private sector. These include an agreement with Yanga Games Technologies (YGT), a private sector company, to help Nigerian sports raise N35 billion over the next four years to augment budgetary allocations from the Federal government. Additionally, the ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Effa Management Ltd to help create facility clusters in the six geopolitical zones and an agreement with GTI to reintroduce and revamp the competition formerly known as the Challenge Cup, now to be known as The President Federation Cup, among others.
These initiatives and more have endeared Senator Enoh to many, reflecting his avowed commitment to clean what some have called the ‘Augean Stable of Nigerian sports.’ Despite these successes, it is important to note that a ministerial assessment must involve evaluating the performance and capabilities of ministers within a government to determine their effectiveness in their roles and identify areas for improvement or development. “An assessment of the tenure of the Minister of Sports Development will not be completed without reference to the scepticism that greeted his appointment,” began the vastly experienced Prof Ken Anugweje of the University of Port Harcourt Sports Institute. “Many commentators hardly gave him a chance and it will be nice for you to also seek their assessment of his tenure so far. Sports development involves the improvement in facilities, plans and programmes and the purposeful engagement with the youth of the country.”
In the period under review, Senator Enoh has covered significant ground. His tenure coincided with the remarkable showing of Nigerian footballers at the 2023 CAF Football Awards Gala in Morocco last December. Victor Osimhen was named African Footballer of the Year, the first Nigerian to receive this honour since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. Additionally, Asisat Oshoala extended her reign as Women’s Africa Footballer of the Year to six titles, Chiamaka Nnadozie was named the first-ever African Goalkeeper of the Year, and the Super Falcons were awarded Team of the Year. Since December, many more remarkable successes have been recorded across various sports, from boxing to badminton, weightlifting, table tennis and judo, among others. These achievements highlight the positive impact of the new initiatives and partnerships under Senator Enoh’s leadership, underscoring his commitment to elevating Nigerian sports on the global stage.
“Viewed dispassionately, has he (Enoh) not surpassed all expectations?” Prof Anugweje, who incidentally doubles as chairman of the Ministerial Committee on Podium Finish at the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympics Games, rhetorically asked. He continued: “His administration has promoted transparency, inclusiveness and accountability. His policies have been athlete-centred and his decision-making has reflected the values and objectives of a model sports organisation. He has also continued with the meaningful programmes of his predecessor.
“Measuring his achievements vertically, every sport has been given attention and encouragement. Just the other day, baseball and softball were officially received by the ministry. Horizontally, his robust desire for sporting success led to his setting up of a podium performance team for the preparation of national teams for international competitions. Nigeria’s successes at the AFCON, African Games, African Wrestling Championships, the World Athletics Relays and the plethora of Olympic qualifications are validation of all I have said in this interview. I can go on and on. In summary, it’s been so far, so impressive,” added the well-heeled Prof Anugweje.
Need for ministerial assessment
In many climes, assessment plays a crucial role in ensuring that ministers effectively carry out their duties, meet the needs of their constituents and contribute to the overall mission and objectives of the government. By regularly evaluating their performance, organisations can foster a culture of continuous improvement and ensure that their ministers are equipped with the necessary skills and capabilities to fulfil their roles successfully.
Certainly, if there’s one person within the Nigerian sports ecosystem qualified to interrogate what has been achieved under Senator Enoh, it is USA-based varsity don, Prof. Sadiq A. Abdullahi. Prof. Abdullahi has previously worked closely in an advisory capacity with past sports ministers like Barrister Solomon Dalung and Chief Sunday Dare. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the sector position him well to provide an informed and objective assessment of the current administration’s accomplishments in sports development.
“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) assumed office on May 29, 2023, he immediately divided the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports to Federal Ministry of Sports Development and Federal Ministry of Youths, making a bold statement that sports development will become a national priority and his administration will attach utmost importance to developing, improving, and sustaining sports,” recalled the former Nigeria international tennis player. “PBAT appointed Senator John Owan Enoh (JOE) as the 36th sports minister to supervise the 44 National Sports Federations (NSFs) including National Sports Institute (NIS).
“Sports Minister Enoh released ‘The BAT Nigeria Sports Development Roadmap’ and his Six Points Agenda for Nigeria Sports: Athletes Welfare, Sports as Business, Infrastructure Development, Funding, Grassroots Sports Development, and Reorganisation of National Sports Federations (WAIFAR) aligned with President Tinubu’s vision for a ‘Renewed Hope’ for the sports sector.”
On this score, Prof Abdullahi surmised that there are positive indicators for the sports sector, adding that efforts must be made to continue on the road to nirvana. “Some of the positives include learning the sports landscape, consulting with sports stakeholders and travelling the six geopolitical zones meeting with the regional FMSD regional directors, meeting with the presidents of the national sports federations, meeting with the key private sector investors, and meeting with some of his colleagues to discuss collaboration and partnership,” he noted.
As many would agree, one needs to beat one’s drum at some point, and weeks ago, Senator Enoh met with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa to provide a comprehensive account of his stewardship within the sports sector. According to his media office, the minister outlined the successes achieved across various sporting events, including the African Cup of Nations, the African Games, and the World Relay Championships in the Bahamas. He also highlighted the positive strides made by Nigerian athletes on the international stage and emphasized the Ministry’s vision to increase private investments in the industry.
President Tinubu commended Minister Enoh for his dedication, proactive initiatives and pivotal role in driving positive change and promoting excellence within the sector. This acknowledgment underscores the significant progress made under Senator Enoh’s leadership in enhancing Nigeria’s sports landscape. “I think the Minister of Sports Development, Senator Enoh, has done well; at least well above average since he got on the saddle,” Toyin Ibitoye, a seasoned broadcaster, told NationSport. “He has been able to successfully navigate his way around one of the major issues plaguing our sports, which is funding.”
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Ibitoye, who was the Special Assistant (Multimedia) to the immediate Minister of Youth & Sports Development, Chief Dare, continued: “It is noteworthy that one of his first pronouncements as minister was the plan to continue with ‘Sports as Business Policy’ that was approved by the Buhari administration. He has followed up this stance with some efforts at courting and collaborating with the private sector.
“He has also paid good attention to the welfare of athletes. He has built some level of confidence and trust in the athletes as evidenced during the African Games in Accra, Ghana. Enoh has also been very supportive of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), facilitating the release of funds to them during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.”
Equally, frontline sports journalist and administrator, Frank Ilaboya, was also forthcoming on his assessment of Senator Enoh, adding that the erstwhile lecturer turned politician must be able to walk his talks. “The Minister of Sports Development has not done badly since he assumed office almost a year ago and he has demonstrated a listening ear, consulted and still consulting with the relevant stakeholders in sport,“ Ilaboya, the MD/CEO of Sportsville, told NationSports. “So, in terms of the above parameters, you can score him high and also in terms of responsiveness to sporting issues, he has been up-to-date; kudos to him.”
Yet, the erstwhile chairman of Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, who is a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Media Committee, believes it’s about time Senator Enoh focused on his policy thrust rather than be a ‘jack of all trades’ as it were. “I think the Minister should now come out with his policy direction because he tends to attend to everything from football to the least mentioned sports,” Ilaboya continued.
“You and I know that it’s not possible to do all; those who tried it failed woefully. Therefore, I am expecting a policy that encapsulates continuation of previous policies by his predecessors (the good ones, of course), and policies of his own. That way, the nation can rate him when his tenure is over. For example, if he wants to create a template that will allow federations to run without government funding; he should put it out black and white and give timeline when this will happen.
“Is he going to grade the sport federations according to their strengths to determine funding templates? I think this is one of areas the minister should tackle to save the nation from the perennial crisis in funding of sports. Truth be told, it’s not the job of the Sports Development Ministry to engage in the direct control of any federation under it; rather he should set out a workable template that will envision growth and competition.
“The ministry should develop or dust up appropriate roadmap that will see Nigeria take her rightful place in Africa, nay the world at large; and if he does all these, I can bet you that his name will be etched in gold at the end of his service to father land.”
Comparing and contrasting sports ministers
However, seasoned sports broadcaster, Abuja-based Victor Iroele, provided a sharp assessment of Senator Enoh’s performance. He emphasised that ministerial assessment is an opportunity to give Senator Enoh constructive feedback, enabling informed decisions about his continued placement and future assignments. Iroele’s critique highlights the importance of ongoing evaluation and the need for transparency and accountability in ministerial roles, ensuring that the sports sector continues to progress under capable leadership.
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“Looking at some of the sporting events that had taken place under Enoh, like the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, which the Super Eagles finished second behind the host; the Africa Games in Ghana, which Team Nigeria also finished second with 47 gold behind Egypt, you would obviously want to give him a pass mark,” began Iroele, former chairman of Abuja chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN). “Of more interest is the fact that there was no issue of players and athletes disturbances over bonus and allowances in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. That is not to say there were no muted stories by the players and athletes at both championships of indebtedness and when it would be paid.
“The difference, however, is that they were not loud to distract the entire team and probably necessitate sending a government delegation to settle quarrel between athletes and officials as had been the tradition, whether in Africa or at the global stage like the Olympics and World Cup, where we have had to embarrass ourselves. His intervention in the Jose Peseiro contract renewal, leading to a quick resolution of the matter, counts in his favour too,” he noted.
Still, Iroele faulted Senator Enoh on other grounds. He said the minister’s WAIFAR policy thrust might not thrive in the face of general dwindling economy in the country. “But let’s look at Enoh’s six point agenda unveiled to mark his 100 days in office and probably use it to assess him a bit and project into the future of our expectations,” the former special assistant (media) to the late sports minister, Ishaya Mark Aku, continued.
“The acronym for his agenda is WAIFAR and Enoh was quoted as saying that ‘this agenda is meticulously designed to bolster growth and excellence within the country’s sports sector. We must key into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda and strive to propel sports industry to newer heights. President Tinubu’s genuine enthusiasm for sports underscores his unwavering commitment to fostering an environment where the sports sector not only flourishes but also reaches unparalleled success.
“But, let’s look at the last paragraph of the quote above and ask ourselves: do we have an environment right now that can guarantee the sports sector to flourish and reach unparalleled success? The answer is no. The economy is crawling on all fours and government is crying over paucity of fund, while corporate organisations are either shutting down or reducing budget spending, even in the area of corporate social responsibility. The state of the economy alone should be a source of concern, before we begin to dream big,” he said.
All the same, Prof Abdullahi admitted that Nigerian sports needs a dreamer like Senator Enoh, but he insisted that he must also be a doer even as he highlighted areas that need serious attention going forward. “Senator JOE should consider planning a trip in conjunction with NIDCOM to attract foreign investors just as PBAT has done,” noted Abdullahi, the Executive Director, Tennis Vision 2030. “This will be contingent upon the release of the FG incentives package. School sports, the implementation of the National Sports (Industry) Policy (NSIP), establishment of the Athletes Welfare Fund, Sports Diplomacy, High Performance Centre, National Anti-Doping Agency/Commission, Professionalization of Sports, Maintenance of Sporting infrastructure in each of the six geopolitical zone, the 10-year NFF National Development Plan, the National Institute for Sports (NIS), the National Court of Arbitration for Sports, and the review of the 2022-2026 National Sports (Industry) Policy (NSIP),” he noted.
But the maiden National Council on Sports Meeting, held between May 20 and 22 in Enugu under the theme “Sports for National Unity and Socio-Economic Growth,” provided Senator Enoh and his team the opportunity to outline the future direction of the Ministry of Sports Development. The meeting resulted in a far-reaching communiqué addressing various issues hindering the growth and development of sports in Nigeria. Notably, the establishment of a National Sports Infrastructure Development Commission (NSIDC) was proposed to tackle the sports infrastructure deficit. Additionally, the creation of the National Sports Development and Investment Funds (NSIDF) was discussed, highlighting its potential benefits for driving sports development in Nigeria. These initiatives underscore the ministry’s commitment to overcoming challenges and fostering a more robust sports environment in the country.
Ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics
Enoh’s resolve notwithstanding, Abdullahi, along with other stakeholders, surmised that the Minister would be rightly judged post-Paris 2024 Olympic Games. They advised that he must redouble his efforts so that the country can have much to celebrate at the end of the quadrennial multi-sport event in August. This sentiment underscores the high expectations placed on Senator Enoh and the critical importance of his role in ensuring Nigeria’s athletes are well-prepared and supported for the international stage.
“Our performances and successes at various Olympic have been mixed,” noted Abdullahi, an Olympian who represented Team Nigeria at the 1988 Olympics Games in Seoul. “Since 1988, measurable gains have been made with outstanding performances in Atlanta 1996 Olympics. Since then, serious efforts have been made but due to lack of sustainable government and corporate funding, Nigeria still lags behind other nations.
“To achieve podium performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics, athletes who have qualified should intensify their training and travel for competitions. This can only be achieved through a well-coordinated athlete’s preparation plan, with the psychological and mental stability of athletes. Coaches’ welfare, including compensation, should be paid on time. Foreign training and camping should also be done in timely manner. All logistical and accommodation arrangements should be done three to four weeks before arriving at the competition site,” he noted.
But both Ibitoye and Iroele were very blunt with their predictions for Team Nigeria at Paris 2024. “I think it would be a tall order to better the performance recorded by Team Nigeria at the last Olympics in Tokyo,” Ibitoye predicted. “However, some individual performances in events like the 100m hurdles, women’s long jump, and wrestling may give us reasons to celebrate.”
“With some luck we may also get some joy in one or two of the relay events. All eyes will also be on our women’s football team, the Super Falcons, to attain the unprecedented, which is to finish on the podium,”
Iroele further quipped: “The Paris Olympics is here and Nigerians want to forget the ugly experience of Tokyo Olympics where Team Nigeria was in the news for all the wrong reasons, including doping scandal. Can we surpass our Tokyo outing where we finished 74th (with a silver medal by Blessing Oborududu in wrestling and a long jump bronze by Ese Brume), and who are the athletes Team Nigeria is banking on to excel at Paris Olympics in July?
“Have these athletes been paid their training grants and how much was the grant? The Olympics is the next big challenge for the minister where expectations are high for Team Nigeria to bury the shame of Tokyo Olympics. Regrettably, what is on ground does not signpost a possible favourable outing but it is still not too late to make amends. 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics have been horrible for Nigerians, with tax payers money wasted with no tangible results. Under Bolaji Abdullahi in 2012, not a single medal was won; but we returned with a basket full of scandals. 2016 a bronze from football, thanks to Mikel Obi and Coach Samson Siasia, while 2020 was not different. Can Enoh surpass the expectations of Nigerians?”
Though the performance of Team Nigeria at Paris 2024 remains to be seen, it has been so far, so good for the bespectacled and bespoke Senator Enoh. After all, President Tinubu, in his keynote address to the National Council on Sports Meeting in Enugu, commended the Minister of Sports Development and the entire ministry for their unwavering commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria. He noted that their dedication to nurturing talent and promoting sports at all levels is evident in the numerous initiatives and programmes they have implemented.
