By Achile Momoh
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has called for a renewed collaboration between the public and private sectors, describing such partnership as essential to transforming Nigeria’s sports industry and driving national development.
Shaibu made the call while speaking on the Day-2 of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Exhibition Workshop in Abuja.
He thanked NECA for bringing stakeholders together, saying the platform provided an opportunity for meaningful engagement between government and the private sector.
“Thank you for bringing all of us together to have a handshake. That is what we need for our country, and that is what will help us. For us at the National Institute for Sports, we have consistently advocated collaboration between the government and the private sector because it is critical to the growth of our economy. It is time for us to change our mindset,” Shaibu said.
Highlighting the importance of believing in Nigeria’s capabilities, Shaibu shared his recent travel experience while returning from the United Kingdom. He recounted how he unsuccessfully attempted to scan his passport at two different automated machines before it eventually worked on the third attempt. However, upon arriving in Nigeria, the same process was completed successfully on the very first machine.
According to him, the experience demonstrates that Nigeria is capable of delivering world-class systems and services when given the opportunity.
Speaking on the renewed mandate of the National Institute for Sports, Shaibu declared that the institute has come back to life after 52 years of stagnation.
“Today, the NIS is back to life after 52 years. If NIS works, Nigeria will work, but if NIS fails, Nigeria will eventually fail,” he stated.
He explained that a vibrant sports sector would significantly reduce unemployment and help tackle insecurity, stressing that sports has become a major economic resource.
“Sports is the new oil well, whether you like it or not. If we develop sports properly, unemployment will become a thing of the past, while insecurity, if not completely eradicated, will be greatly reduced.”
Shaibu revealed that with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Institute for Sports has established operational presence across all six geopolitical zones of the country, adding that the institute is on course to extend its reach to all 36 states by the end of next year.
He noted that Nigeria must focus on developing its own sporting talents instead of merely watching other nations compete on the global stage.
“We don’t need to remain on social media discussing other countries at the FIFA World Cup. We should also be there. It is time for us to change our mindset, and programmes like this help set the tone.”
The NIS Director General also appealed to private organisations and educational institutions to partner with the institute, revealing that Nigeria currently faces a shortage of certified coaches.
“We are having a shortage of coaches in Nigeria. Many Physical and Health Education teachers in our secondary schools are not certified coaches. Coaching does not end on the streets; coaches must be properly trained and certified.”
He explained that NIS is currently training certified coaches who will, in turn, train school children as part of the institute’s grassroots sports development initiative in partnership with schools across the country.
Drawing from his experience as former Deputy Governor of Edo State and a sports administrator, Shaibu also shared some of the sports policies implemented in Edo State and the successes recorded through deliberate investment in sports development.
He observed that attitudes towards sports have changed remarkably, noting that unlike in the past when many parents discouraged their children from participating in sports, parents are now among the strongest supporters of youth involvement in athletics.
Shaibu encouraged parents and guardians to enrol their children and wards in NIS programmes, expressing confidence that sustained investment in grassroots sports and coaching development would restore Nigeria’s dominance in international competitions.
He said with proper planning and talent development, Nigeria would no longer struggle to qualify for major tournaments but would once again become a global sporting powerhouse.
“Register your children and wards for NIS courses and be part of Nigeria’s sports success story,” he urged.
Signed:
Ben Ogbemudia,
S. A. Media,
Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer National Institute for Sports, ADC , Abuja.
