Abuja, Nigeria | August 25, 2025
The Chairman of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has rolled out a comprehensive reform agenda aimed at repositioning sports as a key driver of national development and economic growth.
Since his appointment in October 2024, Dikko has introduced the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), anchored on three pillars — Reset, Refocus, and Relaunch. The programme emphasizes grassroots sports development, infrastructure expansion, and stronger governance across all sporting federations.
Under the new directive, sports federations will only receive government support for international engagements if they can demonstrate tangible grassroots programmes. Dikko has also announced plans to concession and upgrade sporting facilities in Lagos, Kaduna, Ibadan, and Bauchi, while hosting capacity-building workshops to align sports officers with the reform vision.
The NSC has entered into partnerships with state governments, including Ogun, to boost school sports revival, private sponsorship, and job creation through sporting activities. Nigeria is also positioning to host more continental and global competitions as part of efforts to maximize facility use and strengthen the sports economy.
While reports have circulated suggesting Dikko specifically pledged reforms for Nigerian boxing, no official statement or government record confirms such a targeted commitment. His reform agenda, according to verified sources, applies broadly across all sports.
Conclusion: The reforms represent one of the most ambitious restructuring efforts in Nigeria’s sporting history, but claims of a boxing-specific pledge remain unsubstantiated.