National Institute For Sports

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Thursday received the newly elected Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Hon. Romeo Alaoye Omoike, at his office in Abuja The courtesy visit was marked by appreciation, reflection, and a renewed commitment to grassroots development. Hon. Romeo said the visit was an opportunity to congratulate Comrade Shaibu on his leadership at the National Institute for Sports and to express gratitude for his mentorship and unwavering commitment to the development of Edo State. He described Shaibu as a leader whose experience and dedication continue to inspire younger public office holders to embrace service with humility, accountability, and a people-first approach. The council chairman -elect pledged his loyalty to the established political leadership in Edo State, stressing the importance of unity, respect for elders, and collective responsibility in advancing the interests of the people. According to him, working harmoniously with the political hierarchy would strengthen governance and ensure that campaign promises translate into meaningful development across Etsako West. Speaking on his administration’s priorities, Hon. Romeo identified insecurity as one of the most pressing challenges facing the local government. He assured residents that his administration would work closely with the Nigeria Police Force, hunters, vigilante groups, and other relevant stakeholders to improve community safety and protect lives and property. He noted that sustainable security requires collaboration between government and local communities. The chairman also outlined plans to address environmental and ecological challenges affecting communities in Edo North, including erosion and poor sanitation. He added that his administration would pay special attention to the welfare of primary schools by improving learning conditions and supporting initiatives that would give children access to quality basic education. He maintained that investing in education remains one of the surest ways to secure the future of the next generation. On the economic front, Hon. Romeo said boosting internally generated revenue would be a major focus of his administration, explaining that financial sustainability is essential for delivering infrastructure and social services. “Without adequate revenue, government cannot effectively meet the needs of the people,” he said. The visit ended on a cordial note, with both leaders expressing optimism that stronger cooperation between experienced political leaders and a new generation of elected officials would bring lasting dividends to the people of Etsako West and Edo North as a whole.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Professor Edoba Bright Omoregie, SAN, has paid a courtesy visit to the National Institute for Sports (NIS) Athletes’ Development Centre in Abuja as part of efforts to strengthen the growing partnership between the two institutions. Speaking during the visit, Professor Omoregie said the visit was informed by the mutual respect and collaboration between the University of Benin and the National Institute for Sports, aimed at consolidating their relationship and advancing sports education and development in Nigeria. The Vice-Chancellor commended the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, for the remarkable transformation recorded at the Athletes’ Development Centre within a short period. According to him, the University of Benin is proud to be associated with the National Institute for Sports, noting that the collaboration aligns with the Federal Ministry’s mandate and the university’s commitment to academic excellence and sports development. “The collaboration between the University of Benin and the National Institute for Sports has received the necessary approval following our engagements. We are proud to be associated with NIS because the Ministry has a clear mandate that aligns with the goals of the University of Benin, and we are happy to partner with the Institute,” Professor Omoregie said. In his remarks, the Director-General/CEO of the National Institute for Sports, H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and the management of the University of Benin for their unwavering institutional support and goodwill. “You did not only extend goodwill to us, but you also secured approval for our collaboration and provided us with a facility within your institution. This is one of the major landmarks that will outlive our tenure. We are determined to develop the National Institute for Sports, but we will do so strategically and sustainably. The partnership framework between NIS and the University of Benin has been firmly established to deliver meaningful results,” Shaibu stated. He further appreciated the University’s commitment to the partnership and expressed optimism that the collaboration would bring lasting benefits to both institutions while contributing to the growth of sports education in Nigeria. Shaibu disclosed that, as part of the Institute’s 10-year strategic development plan, the National Institute for Sports has already commenced full academic activities in collaboration with the University of Benin. The programmes include National Diploma courses, certificate programmes, and coaching programmes. The NIS Director-General also emphasized the importance of collaboration among institutions in driving national development. He noted that partnerships such as that between the National Institute for Sports and the University of Benin reflect the administration’s vision for sustainable growth and nation-building under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The visit further reinforced the commitment of both institutions to promoting excellence in sports education, capacity building, research, and athlete development through sustained collaboration. Signed:Ben Ogbemudia,S. A. Media,Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Sports, ADC -Abuja

NIS Signs MoU with National Judicial Institute…As Shaibu Seeks for More Inter Agency Corporation. The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has reaffirmed the importance of inter-agency collaboration following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Institute for Sports and the National Judicial Institute (NJI). The agreement was signed at the conference room of the National Judicial Institute in Abuja on Wednesday 15th July, 2026. Speaking at the ceremony, Shaibu said the partnership would strengthen cooperation between the two institutions, enhance sports administration, and promote capacity building. He noted that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to national development through sports and institutional synergy. The NIS Director General stressed that government funding alone is no longer sufficient to sustain sports development in Nigeria. Drawing from his experience as the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, he emphasized the need for strategic partnerships and alternative funding sources to Nigerian teams from participating in regional and international competitions. He expressed confidence that collaborations with key government institutions would help address some of the financial and administrative challenges confronting the sports sector. In his remarks, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Adejumo, commended Shaibu for his leadership and commitment to repositioning the National Institute for Sports. He praised the reforms and initiatives introduced under Shaibu’s administration, describing them as significant steps toward improving sports development and capacity building in Nigeria. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding marks the beginning of a new partnership between the two institutions. Both the National Institute for Sports and the National Judicial Institute expressed optimism that the collaboration would foster knowledge sharing, institutional growth, and contribute meaningfully to the overall development of sports in the country. Signed: Ben Ogbemudia,S. A. Media,Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Sports, ADC – Abuja.

The National Institute for Sports (NIS), under the leadership of its Director General and Chief Executive Officer, H.E. Philip Shaibu, has recorded another significant milestone with the successful resumption of full academic activities for the Basic Certificate Course across three strategic centres in Nigeria. The programme is currently underway at the South-South Centre in Edo State, the North-West Centre in Kaduna State, and the Athletes Development Centre in Abuja, reaffirming the Institute’s commitment to strengthening sports education and human capacity development nationwide. The resumption marks a renewed drive by the NIS leadership to ensure aspiring coaches, sports administrators, physical education instructors, and other sports professionals have access to quality training in line with global best practices. Speaking on the development, the management of the Institute described the resumption as a major step toward revitalizing sports education and producing a new generation of competent sports personnel capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s sporting growth. Since assuming office, DG/CEO H.E. Philip Shaibu has continued to prioritize reforms aimed at repositioning the National Institute for Sports as a centre of excellence in sports education, research, and professional development. With academic activities now fully restored across the three centres, the Institute is expected to expand access to professional sports training while reinforcing its mandate of developing the skilled workforce required to sustain Nigeria’s sporting success at national and international levels. Signed:S. A. Media,Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer National Institute for Sports ADC Abuja,

Following the President/Federation Cup final in Asaba, Delta state , the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Sports, H. E. Comrade Philip Shaibu has expressed reservations over the quality of football displayed by both Ikorodu FC and El-Kanemi warriors calling for improved standards in the Nigerian football system. Speaking with Sports journalists shortly after the final whistle, Shaibu said the performance witnessed during the final fell short of the competitiveness and quality traditionally associated with the Nigerian FA Cup, stressing that more must be done to raise the standard of the domestic game. “I must confess that the quality of football I watched today between Ikorodu FC and El-Kanemi lacked the Nigerian quality of football we demand. It was a zero-quality game, to say the least,” Shaibu said. He acknowledged the quality of players but noted that both teams struggled with consistency, organisation, and tactical discipline. “The inconsistencies are not what Nigerian football wants now. We know how competitive the FA Cup is in Nigeria. The pitch is beautiful, organisation beautiful, but both teams lacked consistency. No quality, no depth, not even two minutes of coordinated passes from both teams,” he added. The football enthusiast also questioned the readiness of some local players to represent Nigeria at the highest level, saying the performances witnessed did not provide enough evidence of players capable of competing with international standards. “I could barely point out a good player amongst them. And when I looked at those on the touchline managing the teams and saw their reactions, all I concluded was that they were comfortable with the unorganised style of play,” Shaibu stated. He further urged local players and stakeholders to improve their approach if they must earn opportunities ahead of foreign-based players in the national team setup. “I don’t see any opportunity from this type of local player representing the Nigeria football system of our dream. They need to wake up if they must be picked ahead of our foreign players,” Shaibu concluded. Signed: Ben Ogbemudia,S. A. Media,Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Sports, ADC -Abuja.

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has reaffirmed her commitment to the development of Nigerian sports by partnering with the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos, to expand opportunities for grassroots coaches and young talents through her foundation. Ajibade, who is a proud product of the National Institute for Sports, continues to demonstrate that investing in education and professional training remains a vital pathway to success in sports. Her latest intervention is expected to inspire young athletes and coaches to embrace learning and capacity building as they pursue excellence. The Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation paid a courtesy visit to the Institute, where discussions centred on strengthening collaboration in sports development, coaching education, and grassroots football across the country. The Foundation’s delegation was received on behalf of the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, His Excellency Comrade Philip Shaibu, by the Registrar of the Institute, Mr. Belmond Benson, and members of the management team. A key outcome of the meeting was the unveiling of the Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation–NIS Coaching Education Scholarship, an initiative designed to provide aspiring and grassroots coaches with access to professional coaching education at the National Institute for Sports. Speaking during the visit, the Registrar, Mr. Belmond Benson, commended Ajibade for remembering the institution that contributed to her growth and for choosing to invest in the development of future sports professionals. He noted that the National Institute for Sports remains committed to collaborating with individuals and organisations whose programmes align with its mandate of producing skilled sports personnel capable of driving sustainable growth in Nigeria’s sports industry. Ajibade’s journey from an NIS-trained athlete to becoming captain of the Super Falcons and one of Africa’s most respected footballers serves as a powerful example of the value of education, discipline, and continuous self-development. Her decision to return to support the Institute demonstrated the importance of giving back and creating opportunities for the next generation.

The National Institute for Sports (NIS), under the leadership of its Director General and Chief Executive Officer, H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has commenced the process for the selection of a consultant to develop, deploy, integrate, support, and provide long-term management of the Institute’s proposed digital platform. The opening of the Expression of Interest (EOI) documents was held on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the Director General/CEO Conference Room, Athlete Development Centre, National Stadium, Abuja, in the presence of representatives of bidding firms, members of the Procurement Planning Committee, the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), civil society organizations, professional bodies, and other stakeholders. Addressing participants at the exercise, Shaibu welcomed all organizations that responded to the Institute’s advertisement published in The Punch and Blueprint newspapers, commending them for demonstrating confidence in the vision of the National Institute for Sports. He stated that the growing demands of modern sports administration require a robust, secure, scalable, and integrated digital platform capable of transforming athlete data management, training programmes, research, administrative operations, and stakeholder engagement. According to him, the initiative is a strategic step towards positioning the Institute as a leading digitally driven sports institution in Nigeria. The Director General emphasized that the procurement exercise would be conducted with the highest level of transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to the provisions of the Public Procurement Act. He assured all participating firms that every submission would be evaluated solely on merit, based on the criteria outlined in the Expression of Interest documents, while charging the Evaluation Committee to properly document every submission and carry out its assignment professionally within the approved timelines. Shaibu further noted that the National Institute for Sports remains committed to strengthening collaboration with the private sector in pursuit of innovation and institutional excellence. He encouraged all participating firms to remain partners in the Institute’s digitalization journey regardless of the outcome of the selection process, stressing that the ultimate objective is to build a sustainable digital platform that will enhance operational efficiency, improve transparency, and support the long-term development of sports in Nigeria. The event featured representatives of bidding companies, civil society organizations, professional bodies, the NIS Procurement Planning Committee and ACTU, even as the DG reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to due process and accountability, describing digital transformation as an essential pillar for the future of sports development and administration in Nigeria. Signed: Ben Ogbemudia,Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Sports, ADC- Abuja.

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has expressed confidence that Team Nigeria will deliver an outstanding performance at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, declaring that the country is capable of winning at least 20 gold medals. Speaking during the official unveiling of Team Nigeria, Shaibu attributed his optimism to the timely preparation the athletes have received, describing it as a significant departure from previous experiences. “We thank God for the timely preparation, which is different from what we used to have,” Shaibu said. “Just as we have charged the athletes, they should go there and win. Everything needed for their preparation and travel has been provided. It is now left for them to appreciate Nigerians and Nigeria by making us proud by winning medals.” He added that the athletes have demonstrated the spirit of Nigerian dominance and resilience, giving him confidence in their ability to triumph at the Games. “With what I have seen in them, I am confident they can return with 20 gold medals,” he stated. Shaibu also highlighted the NIS’s commitment to grassroots sports development, noting that the institute has intensified efforts to discover and nurture talents across the country. “As far as the NIS is concerned, we have taken sports to the grassroots to encourage greater participation, take advantage of our large population, and ensure Nigeria qualifies consistently for major international competitions going forward,” he said. Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the nation’s preparations for the Games did not begin recently but were the result of long-term planning and talent identification. “This is a clear demonstration of timely preparation. We have been preparing well ahead of the Games, from talent scouting to where we are today,” Dikko said. He disclosed that the Commission is projecting between 16 and 20 gold medals, expressing confidence in the athletes’ readiness. “We will continue to motivate them without delay. We are taking the team 20 days ahead of the competition to allow them acclimatize to the environment and maximize their performance,” he added. In his remarks, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, said the Commission’s projections are based on careful planning and deliberate execution. “We believe in projections. Once a projection is submitted, we work tirelessly towards achieving it, and that is exactly what we have done,” Olopade said. According to him, experience has shown that with proper preparation, any athlete can be defeated, citing examples from previous international competitions where favourites failed to reach the podium. “For the past one and a half years, it has been sleepless nights for me, members of the Commission and my team. But to whom much is given, much is expected,” he noted. Olopade also issued a strong warning to members of Team Nigeria, stressing that discipline would not be compromised. “This is where we draw the line. No matter how big an athlete is, once he or she misbehaves, such a person will be expelled. If you spread negative narratives on social media, you will be expelled,” he warned. Using a family analogy, he urged athletes to resolve grievances internally rather than taking them to the public. “If your father forgets to give you pocket money before you travel, you don’t go outside to report your father. See every one of us as your family and parents. Talk to us if we are wrong, and we will apologize and correct whatever needs to be fixed. But if you do otherwise, you will be expelled.” He reiterated that strict compliance with the Commission’s rules is mandatory. “Everyone must abide by the rules of the National Sports Commission or stay at home. Whoever is out of the team is out,” Olopade declared. Signed:Ben Ogbemudia,S. A. Media,Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Sports , ADC- Abuja.

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has called for a renewed collaboration between the public and private sectors, describing such partnership as essential to transforming Nigeria’s sports industry and driving national development. Shaibu made the call while speaking on the Day-2 of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Exhibition Workshop in Abuja. He thanked NECA for bringing stakeholders together, saying the platform provided an opportunity for meaningful engagement between government and the private sector. “Thank you for bringing all of us together to have a handshake. That is what we need for our country, and that is what will help us. For us at the National Institute for Sports, we have consistently advocated collaboration between the government and the private sector because it is critical to the growth of our economy. It is time for us to change our mindset,” Shaibu said. Highlighting the importance of believing in Nigeria’s capabilities, Shaibu shared his recent travel experience while returning from the United Kingdom. He recounted how he unsuccessfully attempted to scan his passport at two different automated machines before it eventually worked on the third attempt. However, upon arriving in Nigeria, the same process was completed successfully on the very first machine. According to him, the experience demonstrates that Nigeria is capable of delivering world-class systems and services when given the opportunity. Speaking on the renewed mandate of the National Institute for Sports, Shaibu declared that the institute has come back to life after 52 years of stagnation. “Today, the NIS is back to life after 52 years. If NIS works, Nigeria will work, but if NIS fails, Nigeria will eventually fail,” he stated. He explained that a vibrant sports sector would significantly reduce unemployment and help tackle insecurity, stressing that sports has become a major economic resource. “Sports is the new oil well, whether you like it or not. If we develop sports properly, unemployment will become a thing of the past, while insecurity, if not completely eradicated, will be greatly reduced.” Shaibu revealed that with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Institute for Sports has established operational presence across all six geopolitical zones of the country, adding that the institute is on course to extend its reach to all 36 states by the end of next year. He noted that Nigeria must focus on developing its own sporting talents instead of merely watching other nations compete on the global stage. “We don’t need to remain on social media discussing other countries at the FIFA World Cup. We should also be there. It is time for us to change our mindset, and programmes like this help set the tone.” The NIS Director General also appealed to private organisations and educational institutions to partner with the institute, revealing that Nigeria currently faces a shortage of certified coaches. “We are having a shortage of coaches in Nigeria. Many Physical and Health Education teachers in our secondary schools are not certified coaches. Coaching does not end on the streets; coaches must be properly trained and certified.” He explained that NIS is currently training certified coaches who will, in turn, train school children as part of the institute’s grassroots sports development initiative in partnership with schools across the country. Drawing from his experience as former Deputy Governor of Edo State and a sports administrator, Shaibu also shared some of the sports policies implemented in Edo State and the successes recorded through deliberate investment in sports development. He observed that attitudes towards sports have changed remarkably, noting that unlike in the past when many parents discouraged their children from participating in sports, parents are now among the strongest supporters of youth involvement in athletics. Shaibu encouraged parents and guardians to enrol their children and wards in NIS programmes, expressing confidence that sustained investment in grassroots sports and coaching development would restore Nigeria’s dominance in international competitions. He said with proper planning and talent development, Nigeria would no longer struggle to qualify for major tournaments but would once again become a global sporting powerhouse. “Register your children and wards for NIS courses and be part of Nigeria’s sports success story,” he urged. Signed:Ben Ogbemudia,S. A. Media,Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer National Institute for Sports, ADC , Abuja.