By Felix Ojo
The Director-General and CEO of the National Institute for Sports, (NIS) H. E. RT. HON. Comrade Philip Shaibu has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming the Institute into a true Centre of Excellence, promising that the long-awaited reform blueprint submitted by the NIS Transformation Committee will not gather dust on the shelf.
Speaking during the official presentation of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) transformation report by the NIS Special Committee at the NIS Office in Abuja, Shaibu commended the 32-man committee led by Engr. Musa Kida, who is also the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), for their diligence, passion, and professionalism in producing what he described as a “live document” that will change the face of sports administration and development in Nigeria.
According to him, the report will not be another document that goes under the table or sit on the shelf:
”By the grace of God, we are ready to implement every recommendation to the benefit of our country. The NIS management will work with a newly constituted Implementation Advisory Committee, to be chaired again by Engr. Musa Kida, to ensure that the reform agenda is executed seamlessly,” said, Shaibu.
He added that the institute has already commenced in 6 zones of the federation and 36 states will soon have NIS state offices, a step aimed at the operations and expanding access to training opportunities nationwide.
The former Edo state 2-times deputy governor, Shaibu, also praised President Tinubu for placing the right people in critical sectors to rebuild Nigeria’s foundation through reforms across the economy, including sports, oil, and banking.
“Reforms are difficult,” he said, “but after the reforms, peace and progress will come. The Nigeria of our dreams will emerge.”
The submission of the NIS Transformation Report marks a new phase in the institute’s revival, with the federal government pledging to turn the recommendations into actionable results that will reposition Nigeria as Africa’s leading sporting powerhouse.
