Chairman of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has introduced a significant shift in Nigeria’s sports activities funding construction, declaring that sports activities federations will not obtain computerized monetary assist from 2026 until they’ll show they’re actively creating their sports activities.
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Dikko made the revelation whereas outlining the Fee’s new accountability-driven strategy, stressing that authorities funds will now be tied strictly to measurable actions and purposeful home leagues.
“The period of free meals is over. Federations should present proof of development, competitions, and growth earlier than receiving funding,” Dikko stated.
Based on him, the Fee will not bankroll federations that stay dormant or function with out structured competitions.
“If a federation doesn’t have a purposeful league or common actions, it can’t proceed to depend upon authorities funding,” he acknowledged firmly.
Dikko defined that the brand new coverage is designed to pressure federations to change into extra proactive, progressive, and development-driven, slightly than ready for annual handouts.
“We would like federations which can be working, not ones that solely present up when it’s time to gather cash,” he added.
The NSC chairman famous that the dearth of accountability in sports activities administration has contributed to stagnation in a number of federations, weakening Nigeria’s general sports activities ecosystem.
“Funding with out construction results in waste. Improvement have to be deliberate and measurable,” he stated.
Beneath the brand new system, federations shall be assessed primarily based on home league exercise, grassroots programmes, athlete growth pathways, and governance requirements earlier than any grants are accredited.
“You will need to present us what you might be doing. Sports activities growth can’t exist on paper alone,” Dikko defined.
He additionally revealed that the coverage aligns with the Fee’s broader imaginative and prescient to strengthen sports activities in any respect ranges, from grassroots to elite efficiency.
“This strategy will assist us construct a stronger sports activities ecosystem and guarantee public funds are used responsibly,” he stated.
Whereas acknowledging that the coverage could also be uncomfortable for some federations, Dikko insisted it’s mandatory for long-term progress.
“Change is rarely straightforward, however it’s mandatory. Nigerian sports activities should transfer ahead,” he concluded.
The announcement marks a turning level in sports activities administration, signaling a future the place efficiency, exercise, and accountability decide entry to funding.
