NIS Director-General Philip Shaibu speaks on grassroots sports development and athlete welfare during a meeting with sports stakeholders in Abuja.
The Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Philip Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Institute’s role in rebuilding Nigeria’s sports sector.
Shaibu described the NIS as the “engine room” needed to drive sustainable sports growth and grassroots development across the country.
He spoke in Abuja after the Institute’s regular keep-fit exercise while receiving the Rudder Sports Management team led by Emmanuel Omijeh.
Tinubu Administration Supports Sports Reforms
Shaibu linked the renewed focus on sports development to the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the President’s commitment to grassroots sports development reflects in recent appointments and policy direction aimed at discovering and nurturing future champions.
“Mr. President is a sports lover, just like many of us who follow football across different leagues weekly,” Shaibu said.
He noted that the administration appointed a Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports to strengthen talent development across the country.
Shaibu Blames Sports Decline on Neglect of NIS
The former Edo State Deputy Governor blamed the decline in Nigerian sports on years of neglect of the National Institute for Sports.
He said poor investment in the Institute weakened the country’s sports ecosystem and slowed talent development. “You cannot start a car without an engine,” Shaibu said. “The Nigerian sports sector went on holiday because the engine room, the NIS, was neglected.”
DG NIS stressed that Nigeria must build sports from the grassroots to achieve long-term success.
According to him, structured programmes remain critical for discovering and developing young talents into elite athletes and professionals.
NIS DG Raises Concerns Over Athlete Welfare
Shaibu also raised concerns about the welfare of retired athletes.
He said many former sportsmen and women struggle after retirement because the country lacks proper support systems.
“We have seen too many retired athletes without anything to fall back on,” he said.
Shaibu called for structured retirement plans that prepare athletes for life after active sports.
He said sports authorities should begin transition programmes at least two years before retirement.
According to him, athletes should receive training in coaching and sports management to help them remain active within the sports sector. “We must maintain a pattern of training our players to become coaches after retirement,” he added.
Shaibu Shares Imade Osarenkhoe Success Story
Shaibu recalled how he supported retired athletes during his time in Edo State by integrating them into the Edo State Sports Commission and empowerment programmes.
He also cited the story of striker Imade Osarenkhoe as proof of the importance of grassroots talent discovery.
Shaibu said he discovered the player during a novelty football match at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. “He was a 100-level student when we signed him for Bendel Insurance,” Shaibu revealed.
He said the club paid the player’s school fees and supported his development into one of the top scorers in the Nigerian league before his move to the United Arab Emirates.
Stakeholders Seek Stronger Sports Collaboration
Shaibu stressed that collaboration remains vital to rebuilding Nigeria’s sports sector.
Earlier, Rudder Sports Management President Emmanuel Omijeh said the organisation continues to develop sports facilities and structured university sports systems.
He explained that the initiative aims to strengthen grassroots and institutional sports development through collaboration with stakeholders nationwide.
Written By Arinzechi Chukwunonso; Edited by Julian Adetinuyo
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