Nigeria’s sports activities neighborhood, Large Sports activities Dialogue delivered a robust message in Lagos on Monday: if the nation intends to compete globally, it should overhaul its sports activities sector—immediately.
Hosted on the Villa Dome in Ikoyi, the maiden Large Sports activities Dialogue 1.0 introduced collectively main sports activities thinkers, directors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, private-sector stakeholders and media professionals.
For a number of hours, they examined a long time of structural failures, missed alternatives and coverage deficiencies earlier than outlining a roadmap for real reform.
This was no celebration. It was a nationwide wake-up name.
“Communicate Fact to Energy” — Organisers Set a Agency Tone
Organising Committee Chairman Osaze Ebueku opened the dialogue with a daring declaration.
“This dialogue grew to become essential to talk reality to energy. Nigerian sports activities have strayed too far. As we speak begins the journey again.”
Convener Aron Akeredola strengthened the message, stressing that the discussion board aimed to construct options fairly than apportion blame. He confirmed that every one resolutions from the occasion might be documented and forwarded to the Nationwide Sports activities Fee (NSC) for implementation.
New Fee, New Guidelines — Shehu Dikko Defends Structural Reforms
NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko supplied a robust defence of the federal government’s determination to switch the Sports activities Ministry with the Fee, describing it as a “brave and essential” reform.
“It’s now not enterprise as regular,” Dikko mentioned.
“We insisted each Federation should embrace girls. We have now created a useful reward system. We’re cleansing up the sector—and extra reforms are coming.”
His remarks acquired widespread approval throughout the corridor.
Girls’s Sports activities: Excessive Efficiency, Low Recognition
A panel that includes Aisha Falode, Mitchelle Obi, and Olisa Adibdor highlighted a persistent imbalance: Nigerian girls persistently ship worldwide medals however stay under-recognised.
“Girls carry this nation on the worldwide stage, but they continue to be an afterthought,” they famous, urging the media to amplify protection of girls’s sports activities.
Coverage Failures and Institutional Decay
One other panel with Mallam Shehu Dikko, Philip Shuaibu, Amaju Pinnick, and Nelson Ineh (GTI) acknowledged long-standing failures—poor coverage route, weak accountability and institutional neglect.
NIS Director Common Philip Shuaibu lamented the deterioration on the Nationwide Institute for Sports activities and the abandonment of the Athlete Improvement Centre in Abuja, calling them “symbols of systemic collapse.” With a 10-year reform plan and 6 new zonal places of work underway, he assured that rebuilding has already begun.
“Any Federation President Who Can’t Entice Sponsorship Ought to Go”
A tough-hitting third panel that includes Dr. Larry Izamoje, Itiako Ikpokpo, Chris Inexperienced, and Babatunde Fashola demanded greater requirements of management.
