Prominent voices within Nigeria’s sports community have decried the stifling effect of bureaucracy on the country’s sporting growth, calling for urgent reforms to streamline operations.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum, former Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu lamented that critical decisions such as the release of funds, approval of team travel, and procurement of training equipment are often delayed by red tape. “Sports thrive on speed and timing. Unfortunately, our processes remain stuck in paperwork and politics,” he said.
The warning comes amid a spate of embarrassing setbacks for Nigerian sports, including unpaid entitlements to national football teams and the recent visa denial suffered by top wrestlers. Analysts say such incidents portray the nation as unprepared and discourage young athletes.
Stakeholders argue that without structural reform, Nigeria risks losing its competitive edge globally. They also called for a dedicated sports development fund insulated from bureaucratic bottlenecks, to ensure timely support for athletes and federations.
Many believe that improving governance in sports could unlock Nigeria’s vast talent potential, foster national unity, and boost the economy through international success.
