The National Sports Commission (NSC) has congratulated teenage swimming sensation Abduljabar Adama following his historic silver medal in the men’s 50m butterfly event at the World Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania.
The 17-year-old Adama clinched silver with an impressive time of 23.64 seconds, finishing just 0.10 seconds behind Great Britain’s Dean Fearn, who took gold with 23.54 seconds.
NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, hailed Adama’s achievement as a milestone for Nigerian sports even as he lauded the Nigeria Aquatics Federation.
“Abduljabar Adama’s silver medal is a proud moment for Nigeria and for Africa. His hard work and talent have once again demonstrated that our athletes can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.”
Olopade added that “moments like this serves as a reminder to us at the NSC to remain committed to providing the support and structure needed to nurture such talents, and we believe this is only the beginning of many more international triumphs for him and Nigerian swimming.”
Adama first turned heads in the heats, where he recorded the second-fastest overall time (23.61) in a field of 116 swimmers across 12 heats.
He then dominated the semifinals, winning his race with an improved time of 23.48 seconds before delivering a gallant fight in the final.
This latest achievement added to Adama’s growing list of accolades. Earlier in March, he turned heads during at the 16th Africa Junior Swimming Championships in Cairo, Egypt, where he won three gold medals, one bronze, and set multiple records, including a new African Junior record in the 50m freestyle.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed Team Nigeria’s participation at the reaffirmed 6th Islamic Solidarity Games billed for Saudi Arabia between November 7 and 21.
As part of preparations for the games, the NSC Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade is currently attending a two-day seminar in Riyadh as the Chef de Mission for Team Nigeria.
The seminar will afford all participating countries the opportunity to get acquainted with the games new guidelines and modules operandi.
The Director General departed the Country on Friday, immediately after supervising the successful execution of the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun state.
Olopade’s participation at the games’ strategic seminar is expected to ensure Team Nigeria is fully equipped with all the regulations and requirements needed for Nigeria to record a successful outing at the games in November.
The Islamic solidarity Games is another opportunity for Nigeria to expose its athletes and to also discover new talents as Nigeria hopes to play its part in the overall ultimate objectives of unity, diversity and humanity that the Games stand for.
The 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games will be the first to be held in Saudi Arabia for the second time after the country last held the inaugural edition 20 years ago in 2005.
This year’s event is expected to set new standards and unite athletes from all over 57 member countries of the world.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has challenged the Secretary Generals of various Sports Federations to adopt an innovative approach in the discharge of their duties in order to achieve effective sports’ development goal.
The Director General of the NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade, made the clarion call during a strategic meeting with all the various secretaries in Abuja yesterday, April 29. .
He said: ” I must first of all, say to you all that contrary to what is being perceived out there before myself and the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko came on board, I am shocked, surprised and very impressed with the professional qualities of all of you.
“You all are some of the best Sports brains we have in this country and we are proud to have you.
” But as we know there is always room for improvement and that is why I have called for this meeting to spur you for bigger challenges ahead.
” An Innovative mind is very vital for growth, therefore I am challenging your intelligent minds to look inwards and come up with concepts that will enhance your output and the qualities of the Federations.
” I am a pathological optimist and I believe you can do more and be more creative and dynamic by thinking out of the box. You all might have known by now that I have an open door policy where every secretary can work into my office and discuss the way forward for his or her federation.”
He also reemphasized the Commission’s Reset, Refocus and Relaunch mandate to the secretaries and the need for them to apply it in the organisation of their activities especially as it regards the image of the country’s Athletes at International Competitions.
He continued: ” The welfares of Nigerian athletes is of utmost importance to the Commission and that is why we established the Elite and Podium board which we have started seeing their work in the area of grading our top athletes for different categories of Training Grants.
” And it is therefore important for the various Secretary Generals to know that the way we fly and dress our athletes for international competitions is also very important in high performance.
“All our top Athletes in Category A of the Podium Board rankings will no longer fly anything less than a business class for International Competitions. No more jamboree travelling but we must scientifically look at the way we run our Sports for High Performance results,” Olopade concluded.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has on behalf of the Federal Government congratulated the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, on his re-election as the Treasurer General of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).
Engr. Gumel, who is also an International Olympic Committee (IOC ) Executive Member, secured the position unopposed in the ANOCA elections held at the General Assembly of the African Olympic Movement in Algeria for another four-year term.
NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who was a special guest at the ANOCA Elective Congress in Algiers and witnessed the election, emphasized the commission’s unwavering support and lauded the significance of Gumel’s re-election.
“It is refreshing to witness the re-election of one of Nigeria’s most experienced, long-serving and globally respected sports administrator. The manner of his victory reflects his invaluable personality, capacity, and the trust of the entire continent on him to stand unopposed which underlines the brilliant work he has been doing and representing Nigeria creditably. This clearly aligns with the NSC International Sports Diplomacy objectives and vision of the NSC pursuant to the RHINSE framework and indeed the Renewed Hope and shared prosperity agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR”
“Engr. Gumel is a major asset to Nigerian sports and indeed the global Olympic family. We are delighted that he will continue his role with ANOCA for another four years. Nigeria remains a key player in African and global sports, and we must continue to play a significant role in promoting the Olympic movement across the continent and beyond. Under our watch at the NSC will be very deliberate and international to ensure we get as many qualified and competent Nigerians into international sports bodies across all sports which will be immensely beneficial to the advancement of our sports and indeed Nigeria’s soft power globally.”
Meanwhile, composition of the new ANOCA executive committee reflects a mix of familiar faces and newcomers. Notably, Algerian Moustapha Beraf retained his position as President, having run unopposed, showcasing the trust and confidence placed in his leadership by the ANOCA community.
Similarly, Nigerian Engr. Gumel secured a victory as Treasurer-General without facing any opposition, highlighting his proven track record and capabilities in managing financial matters.
One of the most closely contested positions was for the role of Secretary-General, where Sudanese candidate Ahmed Abouelgasim Hashim roasted Cameroonian David Ojong 29-12 to emerge victorious.
NEW ANOCA FULL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1 Mustapha Berraf President ( Algeria)
2 Joao Da Costa Alegre Afonso 1st Vice President (Sao Tome et Principe)
3 Spencer A. Fortes Filomena Maria 2nd Vice (President Cape Verde)
4 Alfred Foloko 3rd Vice President (Zambia)
5 Fardouza Moussa Egueh 4th Vice President (Djibouti)
6 Ahmed Abouelgasim Hashim Secretary General (Sudan)
7 Habu Ahmed Gumel Treasurer General (Nigeria)
8 Hammad Abdulerrahmane President Zone 1 (Algeria)
9 Habib Sissoko President Zone 2 (Mali)
10 Jean Yameogo President Zone 3 (Burkina Faso)
11 Idriss Dokony Adiker President Zone 4 (Chad)
12 Donald Rukare President Zone 5 (Uganda)
13 Jappie Mhango President Zone 6 (Malawi)
14 Siteny Thierry Randrianasoloniaiko President Zone 7 (Madagascar)
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has secured a special scholarship partnership with the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) to provide academic opportunities for Nigerian athletes.
This agreement was finalized during a strategic engagement at the NSC headquarters in Abuja among the Mallam Shehu Dikko-led NSC along with, Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade, Deputy Ambassador of Hungary to Nigeria Kristof Korosi and Director of Sports at MATE Lakner Zoltan.
As part of the collaboration which was brokered by the Hungarian Embassy, MATE will offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and certificate programs, specifically designed to accommodate athletes’ schedules, ensuring they can pursue higher education while continuing their training and competitive commitments.
Mallam Dikko emphasized that this initiative aligns with the NSC’s school sports development programs and the broader Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE)
“This partnership is a game-changer for Nigerian sports. It ensures that our athletes not only excel in their sporting careers but also secure a strong academic foundation for life beyond sports,” he stated.
The Hungarian government has already signed a scholarship agreement with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offering 100 scholarships to Nigerian students annually.
This new NSC-MATE partnership provides additional opportunities of a minimum of 30 scholarships annually specifically for Nigerian athletes, reinforcing Hungary’s commitment to supporting Nigerian youth.
Olopade highlighted that education remains a crucial pillar in the Commission’s efforts to develop young athletes.
Hungary has long been a welcoming destination for Nigerians, with a thriving Nigerian community. During the Ukraine crisis, Hungary played a key role in absorbing displaced Nigerian students, further demonstrating its strong ties with Nigeria.
Deputy Ambassador Korosi reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to fostering educational and sports exchanges, emphasizing that this initiative will provide Nigerian athletes with access to world-class academic and sports facilities.
This partnership complements the NSC’s school sports initiatives, ensuring that talented Nigerian athletes can develop academically and professionally while competing at the highest levels.
The meeting agreed a clear roadmap for the conclusion and activation of the scholarships accordingly among other projects of mutual interest
The National Sports Commission (NSC) is set to forge a collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in order to foster grassroots sports development and tackle insecurity.
The NPF has contributed to two of the three gold medals Nigeria has won at the Olympics. Chioma Ajunwa won the nation’s first ever Olympics gold medal at Atlanta 96 while Sunday Bada was a member of the victorious 4x400m relay team at Sydney 2000.
While hosting the Force Sports Planning Committee led by AIG Aishatu Abubakar Baku, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko noted the contributions of the NPF in Nigeria’s past sporting exploits.
“The history of Nigeria’s participation at the Olympics and indeed overall sports is not complete without the Police. Whatever we will do to encourage you to produce more Chioma Ajunwas and Sunday Badas, we will do it. In fact, if we do things the way we want to do it, we will have more Ajunwas and Badas,” he said.
He pointed out that the Force’s sporting policies earlier highlighted by the Committee’s chairperson, AIG Baku are in tandem with the Commission’s proposed Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports Economy (RHINSE).
He added: “ Most of the things you have listed here are exactly along the line of the vision, objectives and plans we have for Nigerian sports. For instance, the Police Academy you are proposing can be part of the centres of excellence we are putting together as an academy. Talents discovered in the Police Academy and across the country can be enrolled in these centres while we would work together to ensure fit for purpose infrastructure and technical knowhow are in place. There is a lot we can do together.”
In her earlier remarks, after listing the achievements of the NPF in Nigerian sports, AIG Abubakar Baku had said: “However, we recognize that there is still so much work to be done to achieve our goals. This is where collaboration comes in. We believe that by working together, we can leverage each other’s strength and resources to drive sports development in Nigeria.”
Among the NPF delegation were AIG Usman Yusuf and CP Olatunji Disu, FCT Commissioner of Police and other top police officers.
Dikko further reiterated the importance of sports in boosting security in the country.
“The core responsibility of the Police is to foster security. Most of those that fuel this insecurity are the youths. If we get them better engaged in sporting activities and they can see proper pathway to success they would align and get busy positively, thus insecurity will be drastically reduced,” he opined.
He promised to set up a joint committee that will synergize between the NSC and the NPF to advance sports development programs along the visions of the two organisations.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has activated the Adopt-an-Athlete Training Grant initiative with its first recipient being Nigerian track and field star, Ese Brume, following her recent involvement in a ghastly car accident.
Speaking at an event to mark the partnership with Confetti Assets Limited, the NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko commended the outfit for its generous support and reiterated the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive sports development in Nigeria through a sustainable public-private partnership (PPP) model.
“We must create a system that does not solely depend on government funding but rather leverages private sector partnerships to achieve a thriving sports economy,” Dikko said.
On his part , the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to athlete welfare and development.
“While we were strategizing, something unfortunate happened to Ese Brume. She was involved in a ghastly motor accident, but to God be the glory, her life was spared,” Olopade said.
“When we spoke, I asked her what I could tell the Chairman to do for her immediately. She made me proud when she said, ‘All I need right now is whatever the Commission can give me as a training grant to help me buy a small vehicle so I can continue my training because I want to win the World Championship in September next year.’ That touched me deeply,” Olopade said.
The DG explained that the Commission has activated an innovative approach to raising funds for athlete development, elite sports, and grassroots initiatives, adding Confetti Assets Limited and Faisa were the first to support this initiative
The Director General described the moment as symbolic, as it marked the official rollout of the Adopt-the-Athlete initiative under the new NSC, with Brume as its first beneficiary.
On his part, the Chairman of Confetti Assets Limited, Benjamin Jonathan Ngoka, expressed his commitment to the initiative, pledging continued support for Nigeria’s sports sector.
“We are happy to key into this new vision for Nigerian sports. We understand the mandate of the National Sports Commission and will continue to play our part in supporting athletes and the broader vision of sports development,” Ngoka said.
The Adopt-the-Athlete initiative aims to provide financial support for Nigerian athletes’ training and development, ensuring they have the resources needed to compete at the highest levels of global sports.
With the backing of strategic partners like Confetti Assets Limited, the initiative is expected to significantly impact the careers of elite and grassroots athletes alike.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new mandate aimed at transforming Nigerian sports into a sustainable sports economy.
It was the first official engagement between the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade with Presidents and Secretaries of various Sports Federations,
Dikko emphasized the shared vision between the NSC and Sports Federations, stressing the importance of partnership in driving growth and sustainability in Nigerian sports.
“We believe we are all partners with the various Sports Federations, working together for the same goal — to reposition Nigerian sports,” Dikko stated.
“We came here with a clear mandate from Mr. President to get sports working again by building a sustainable sports economy. We can’t just measure our sports by participation in tournaments but by its contributions to the entire economy, and that is the new mandate and direction,” he added.
To achieve this vision, Dikko outlined a three-pillar strategy for Nigerian sports: Re-set, Re-focus, and Re-launch.
“Our thinking is that competitions are basically consumption, while development is production. At the end of the day, we want the success of all of us to be measured by the development we put on the ground to get the sports growing and create value. Then we can move to the next level of competitions,” he explained.
He further revealed on-going plans to establish a National Sports Development Fund and a National Sports Infrastructure Board through legislative acts. These structures are expected to provide a solid financial and infrastructural foundation to support sports development across the country.
Olopade echoed the Chairman’s call for strategic reforms, emphasizing the NSC’s commitment to athlete development and governance restructuring.
“One thing we have also worked on is getting a consultant to come work with the Commission. Mr Bambo Akani, Founder & CEO of Making of Champions will be our Consultant, working closely with the Commission to develop a relationship with the elite athletes across all the Sports through the Elite Development and Podium Board,” Olopade revealed.
He announced plans to establish a training fund for exceptional athletes, which will commence in February 2025. The fund will ensure athletes receive financial support for training well ahead of major competitions.
He also emphasized the NSC’s efforts to improve governance within Sports Federations by introducing a corporate governance structure and appointing marketing-driven Chief Operating Officers (COOs). He applauded the Nigeria Rugby Federation for leading this effort with the appointment of Babatunde Adeluola as its COO.
Olopade further revealed that the NSC is making significant strides in tapping into the lucrative eSports industry, which is valued at millions of dollars globally.
“We are also working on tapping into the millions of dollars in the eSports industry, and very soon, the Federation of eSports will be well-structured to join the league of Nigerian sports federations,” Olopade disclosed.
On the part of the sports federations, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Musa Kida, commended the NSC’s fresh approach to sports development.
“Having listened to the remarks of both the NSC Chairman and the DG, there is a breath of fresh air. As Federation Presidents, we are already seeing solutions coming for the country’s sports,” Kida stated.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has emphasized the critical role of educational institutions in advancing sports development across Nigeria.
While receiving a delegation from the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) , Dikko stated that schools and universities are key to nurturing young talent and building a strong foundation for the country’s sports future.
He stressed that collaborating with educational institutions to improve sports facilities, coaching, and training programs will create a pathway that will be essential to identifying and grooming future athletes who can represent Nigeria on national and international stages.
The Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) delegation, led by its president, Bawa Muhammed, expressed confidence in Dikko’s leadership, given his experience and background as a grounded sports administrator.
Bawa added that NUGA has huge confidence in Dikko’s abilities and shares in his vision to grow sports and the sports economy. He said university athletes won approximately 35% of the medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and NUGA has a mission to propel Nigerian sports to such international success.
In response, Dikko spoke fondly of the glory days of NUGA, recalling his time at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where student-athletes, where all proud and angling for opportunities to participate and compete in the NUGA Games.
“The NUGA Games is a tournament that every student wants to be a part of,” he said. “NUGA is key to sustainable sports development, and we need to collaborate to ensure that talents emerge from these games.”
Athletes from four universities in the State of California won 89 medals at the last Olympics with only Stanford university students winning 39 (12 gold, 14 silver and 13 bronze). Dikko said such achievements are a reflection of the importance of educational institutions in sports and Nigeria must take the record as a motivation to work hard to be in that bracket.
He emphasized the NSC’s commitment to fostering talent through a focus on grassroots and school-based sports. He highlighted the importance of partnerships with NUGA and the Ministry of Education to secure private funding for infrastructure and training in universities.
“With the right facilities and coaching, we can cultivate young talent that will naturally bring medals and achievements for Nigeria,” he explained.
Dikko further assured the delegation of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the revival of the schools’ sports in Nigeria.
To his end, Dikko stated that the short term objective is to, through the NSC ensure the immediate resuscitation and revitalization of the NUGA games back to its glory days whilst on the medium and long term is to establish Centres of excellence using universities and secondary schools as a bedrock. As a pilot, one university will be identified at each geo-political zone to serve as centre of excellence while some secondary and primary schools with be identified in collaboration with the sub-nationals to serve as Centres of excellence in the states. With this strategy therefore, there would be a clear pathway for talented athletes to be identified right from childhood and be nurtured properly all through to professional levels without compromising their education.
Dikko also stated NSC expectations from sports federations, underscoring that only those with a concrete and sustainable developmental approach would receive approvals/funding support to participate in international tournaments.
“It’s not just about tournaments but about real development. We need to work with NUGA, collaborate with education ministries, and help us build sports programs within schools,” he concluded.
