NIS
Nigeria’s sports development structure requires urgent reform with stronger emphasis on grassroots talent discovery and discipline, according to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, Philip Shaibu.
Shaibu made the call during a visit by officials of the Nigeria Grassroots Sports Forum in the Federal Capital Territory at the NIS Athletes Development Centre. He warned that Nigeria’s sports system has declined due to weak youth programmes and poor management of talent pipelines.
The former footballer lamented the collapse of structured age-grade competitions such as U-15, U-16, and U-17 leagues, which once produced elite athletes for international competitions. He described grassroots tournaments as the foundation of Nigeria’s past sporting success and called for their immediate revival.
Shaibu also criticised systemic failures within the sports sector, alleging that some individuals responsible for its decline remain active in the system. He stressed that without accountability and reform, progress would remain limited.
Drawing from his experience as former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Shaibu referenced the success of Bendel Insurance Football Club, which achieved strong league performance through structured planning, discipline, and timely welfare payments for players.
He further highlighted Edo State’s long-term investment strategy for athletes ahead of the National Sports Festival, noting that sustained preparation contributed to medal success.
Looking ahead to global competitions, Shaibu expressed concern over Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2028 Olympics, urging sports authorities to develop a clear national roadmap, improve athlete tracking systems, and prioritise homegrown talent over foreign-based scouting.
He called for a data-driven approach to athlete development and consistent performance monitoring across all sporting categories.
Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Grassroots Sports Forum, Godwin Bamigboye, echoed concerns about the neglect of grassroots sports, describing it as a major setback to national development in athletics and football.
Bamigboye commended ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including efforts to strengthen grassroots sports administration and appoint dedicated officials to support development.
He emphasised the need for training and retraining of coaches and sports administrators to rebuild capacity from the ground up, adding that the Forum is ready to work with the National Institute for Sports on a comprehensive revitalisation plan for Nigerian sports.
Stakeholders say the renewed push for grassroots reform could determine Nigeria’s future performance in international competitions if properly implemented.
