By Joel Ajayi
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has emphasized the immense economic potential of sports, calling on the government, private sector, and individuals to invest more in the sector.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, in Abuja, Shaibu noted that sports can address various socio-economic challenges, including unemployment and insecurity, if strategically harnessed.
“Sports can drive national development and open doors for economic growth. Sadly, the NIS, established 50 years ago, has only truly progressed for five of those years. Since then, the institution has struggled in the shadows,” Shaibu stated.
He added that the NIS has the mandate and capacity to train professionals across the entire sports ecosystem, noting that collaboration with the military was a logical step given the structured nature of sports within the armed forces.
Shaibu also lamented the collapse of state leagues across Nigeria, which he said once served as a platform for youth engagement and employment.
“The return of grassroots leagues will not only reduce crime but also create thousands of jobs for young Nigerians. Sports can touch every aspect of our economy,” he said, reaffirming the Institute’s commitment to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by ensuring that NIS certificates are globally recognized.
In response, General Musa welcomed the initiative, pledging the military’s readiness to partner with the Institute in the training and retraining of coaches and athletes for optimal performance.
“I am still a proud member of the Edo State Handball Association,” the CDS revealed. “Nigeria is blessed with talents, and once our youths are engaged, crime will drop. The military is fully prepared to support the NIS in this mission.”
General Musa called on sports stakeholders to revive grassroots development across the country, describing sports as a powerful tool in combating insecurity and promoting national unity.
“We believe in catching them young, and we will give you all the needed support,” he assured.
The meeting marked a step forward in fostering collaboration between the military and the NIS to enhance sports development and national security through youth empowerment.
