By Peter Omopo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a unified sports funding framework aimed at eliminating bureaucratic delays and strengthening Nigeria’s domestic and international sports programmes.
The President announced the decision in a statement posted on his official X handle late Friday, directing the Ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and the Budget Office of the Federation to restructure sports funding beginning from the 2026 fiscal year.
Under the new arrangement, provisions for sports infrastructure development, maintenance and sporting activities will be consolidated and included annually in the national budget. Tinubu also ordered that funds appropriated for sports be released immediately once the budget is passed and assented to.
According to the President, allocations for sporting activities currently spread across various ministries, departments and agencies will be reviewed, restructured and streamlined. The savings from the exercise will be transferred into a unified funding framework under the National Sports Commission (NSC) to enhance grassroots development and international participation.
Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s sporting achievements in 2025, noting that athletes across disciplines brought pride to the nation, with the country recording a cumulative haul of 373 medals during the year.
“Sports is one of our strongest brands as a nation. It unifies us, breaks all our fault lines, inspires belief, and builds a sense of community that cuts across age, language, ethnicity, religion and social status,” the President said.
He commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its Chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko, for recording progress despite financial and administrative challenges, describing the reforms in the sector as aligned with his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
The President acknowledged that bureaucracy and fragmented funding have long hampered athletes’ preparation and participation in competitions, as well as the development and maintenance of sporting infrastructure.
“For too long, sports funding was slowed by bureaucracy, fragmented across institutions, and when funds were released, they often came too late. That cycle undermined performance and placed our athletes at a disadvantage. This must change,” Tinubu said.
He explained that the reforms are anchored on the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), which positions sports as a catalyst for job creation, tourism, investment and global influence.
According to him, the reforms will promote scientific elite athlete development, grassroots participation, revitalised sports federations and the hosting of major international events in Nigeria.
“The future of Nigerian sports will be planned, properly funded and competitive. We will support our athletes early, prepare them thoroughly, and celebrate them proudly,” the President added.
