Dikko; Debuting Sports Economy in Nigeria,
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
In February, the train of the National Sports Commission, NSC led by Alhaji Shehu Dikko, a seasoned sports administrator met with Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for audience with a view to chatting the way forward for diversified sports development and to also engage him on the progress, achievements since his assumption of duty.
For Shehu Dikko , sports development should not be restricted to physical and usual performance alone , but geared towards creating wealth , promote the country’s economy and also contribute to the Growth Domestic Product GDP of the country.
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With the efforts at toeing that line , after securing multiple victory for Nigeria in few tournaments with dogged performance in others , Dikko promised the President of more concerted efforts towards realising the potentials of the game of sports in the country towards attracting foreign attention and winning more laurels.
In his usual words, the investiture and inculcation of sports into the economy of the country, cannot be overemphasized, away from the usual government expenditures, stating his desire for self sponsorship through mobilisation of other areas, the private sector, multinationals, public spirited individuals to develop sports in the country.
While briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,the NSC chairman who doubled as the sole overseer of the entire sports activities in the country stated that the Renewed Hope Agenda, RHA of the administration has more positive effects on Nigeria’s sports development.
While paying glowing tributes to the President’s intervention, he lauded his policy of revival of all sporting activities from the grassroot stage to national fora, particularly to be able to recruit the best hand through the revival of all games hitherto abandoned over the years .
He also promised to give adequate attention to all sporting activities outside football, to other sports , even though, football has the largest followers compare to others in terms of viewers and coverage.
Not minding that , Dikko maintained the exploitation of football sporting activities to improve the economy of the country inline with the Renewed Hope Agenda, RHA of the present administration.
Dikko also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for continuous supports both in spirit and funding , lauding the present administration for adequate attention which resulted in the success of the maiden Islamic sports in Riyadh among many others locally and internationally.
With Dikko’s initiatives and innovation towards sports development and activities not only at the federal level, but including the state and local governments across the country.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, APRIL 13TH 2026)
