FG to upgrade sports facilities in universities as NSC targets school sports revival

FG to upgrade sports facilities in universities as NSC targets school sports revival

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to revive school sports with plans to upgrade sporting facilities in selected higher institutions across Nigeria, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen grassroots sports development and produce future international champions.

The initiative was unveiled by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko during a meeting with a delegation from Ahmadu Bello University led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adamu Ahmed.

According to Dikko, the facility upgrade forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's approval for the large-scale enhancement of sports infrastructure nationwide, with a special focus on restoring school sports as the foundation of Nigeria's sporting future.

"The future is in the schools," Dikko said, noting that many of Nigeria's past sporting greats emerged through inter-school competitions such as the Nigerian University Games.

To drive the initiative, the NSC, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, has identified one tertiary institution in each of the country's six geopolitical zones to serve as a Centre of Excellence for sports development.

These institutions will receive upgraded facilities and technical support to help nurture elite athletes without compromising academic pursuits.

Beyond infrastructure, Dikko disclosed that the Commission has made budgetary provisions to support the NUGA Games and other school sports competitions, while also considering the establishment of a Tertiary Institutions Sports Federation to coordinate competitions including NUGA, NACEGA and NIPOGA.

He also urged ABU, which will host the 2028 NUGA Games, to begin preparations immediately by engaging private sector partners.

"We are available to support you," Dikko said, proposing the formation of a joint planning committee between the NSC and the university to ensure a successful Games.

Highlighting the growing role of private investment in sports, the NSC Chairman revealed that more than N50 billion has been attracted into the sector from private investors since 2025.

Dikko further challenged Nigerian universities to introduce more professional sports-related academic programmes to help develop skilled personnel in sports administration, governance, facility management, sports medicine, analytics and entrepreneurship.

He praised Professor Ahmed, a former professional basketball player and former board member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, for using his sporting background to drive progress at ABU.

Earlier, Professor Ahmed commended Dikko for leading what he described as a comprehensive transformation of Nigeria's sports sector, particularly the shift towards building a sustainable sports economy.

He also highlighted ABU's long-standing contribution to Nigerian sports, noting that the institution has produced numerous elite athletes and administrators, including Masai Ujiri and Ejike Ugboaja.

The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the university's readiness to host a memorable 2028 NUGA Games and disclosed that ABU is developing micro-credential certification programmes in sports management through partnerships with the UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation, the ABU Business School and the university's Distance Learning Centre.

He said the programmes are aimed at producing highly skilled sports professionals capable of driving the country's evolving sports industry.

The planned upgrades represent another major step in the NSC's renewed drive to rebuild school sports, strengthen grassroots talent development and create a sustainable pipeline of athletes and sports professionals for Nigeria's future.