The National Sports Commission (NSC) has inaugurated newly elected Presidents and Board Members of 18 Sports Federations following successful elections conducted across the country. The inauguration ceremony, held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, marked a new phase in Nigeria’s sports administration, with leaders charged to drive innovation, transparency, and sustainable development within their respective disciplines.

 

In his address, the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, congratulated the newly elected officials and described their emergence as a “call to service and responsibility.” He urged the leaders to go beyond traditional administration and embrace innovation and economic growth opportunities within their federations.

 

“This election is not just a mandate; it is a call to deliver results,” Dikko said. “The Commission expects leaders who will be active, creative, and committed to translating investments into tangible outcomes — such as competitive athletes, good governance, capacity building, grassroots engagement, and the promotion of integrity and anti-doping practices.”

 

He further emphasized the importance of collaboration among athletes, coaches, officials, and administrators, adding that unity and shared vision remain crucial for achieving collective goals in Nigerian sports.

 

The Director General of the NSC, Honourable Bukola Olopade, commended the Chairman for his leadership throughout the electoral process, describing it as transparent and credible. He also praised the Directors and Electoral Officers for their professionalism, while acknowledging the dedication of outgoing board members who contributed to sports development in their various tenures.

 

Olopade lauded the Federal Government’s continued investment in sports, highlighting initiatives in infrastructure renewal, athletes’ welfare, grassroots programmes, and high-performance systems.

 

Addressing the new board members, the DG challenged them to raise the bar of excellence through innovation, accountability, and effective governance.

 

“Your responsibility goes beyond administration — it includes developing competitive athletes, mobilising resources, promoting transparency, and ensuring that domestic competitions generate economic value for national growth,” Olopade said. “You have been given a new slate; write something worthy on it. Serve with integrity, lead with vision, and deliver measurable results.”

 

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adeniyi Bashir, also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the NSC leadership for their commitment to the growth of sports in Nigeria, commending the Commission’s visionary policies and the smooth conduct of the elections.

 

Similarly, Mr. Uyi Akpata, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, applauded the NSC for its consistent support of grassroots development, noting that the Commission’s emphasis on youth engagement has inspired similar initiatives across various federations.

 

Meanwhile, the election into the Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria has been suspended and will be conducted at a later date.

 

The NSC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability in sports administration, pledging continued support to ensure that the newly elected boards achieve meaningful progress in their respective federations.