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The Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, joined diplomats, football stakeholders, sports administrators, coaches, and young athletes at the opening ceremony of the Italian Consulate General U-20 Football Tournament Cup held at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, Lagos. The tournament, scheduled to run from June 2 to June 7, 2026, is an initiative of the Italian Consulate General in Lagos aimed at promoting youth football development, talent discovery, cultural exchange, and international sporting cooperation between Nigeria and Italy. The competition seeks to identify and nurture promising young footballers while creating pathways for outstanding performers to gain exposure to opportunities in Europe. Eight grassroots and professional academy teams are participating in the tournament, including Okaka FC, Plateau United, Bendel Insurance, and 36 Lions FC, among others. The participating teams are expected to compete for top honours while showcasing the immense football talent available within Nigeria’s youth development system. Adding prestige to the event are former Super Eagles stars, Obafemi Martins and Christian Obodo, who are serving as ambassadors for the tournament. Their involvement is expected to inspire the young athletes and reinforce the importance of hard work, discipline, and dedication in achieving success in football. Speaking during the opening ceremony, Comrade Philip Shaibu commended the Italian Consulate General for its commitment to grassroots football development and youth empowerment. He noted that the initiative aligns with the mandate of the National Institute for Sports to advance sports development through talent identification, capacity building, and athlete development. The NIS boss encouraged the participating players to make the most of the opportunity by demonstrating discipline, teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. He emphasized that competitions of this nature provide young athletes with a platform to gain exposure and take significant steps toward professional football careers. The event attracted members of the diplomatic community, football administrators, coaches, sports enthusiasts, and the general public. Organizers expressed confidence that the tournament would strengthen sporting relations between Nigeria and Italy while contributing meaningfully to the development of youth football in the country. The National Institute for Sports reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sports excellence, youth development, and the creation of sustainable pathways for talented athletes across Nigeria. Signed:Information Department,National Institute for Sports.
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The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has expressed its desire to collaborate with the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in the areas of emergency preparedness, planning, response, reconstruction, and rehabilitation. Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Director Generaland Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu said the agency is seeking strategic partnerships that would strengthen disaster management capacity across the country. He explained that the proposed collaboration would leverage the expertise of both institutions to promote safety awareness, emergency preparedness, and disaster risk management within the sports sector. The Permanent Secretary disclosed the establishment of the Lagos Institute of Disaster Management, which currently has strong Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Lagos State University (LASU) and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). He also noted that these initiatives are being pursued under the developmental vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which are designed to ensure that the disaster management structures and best practices developed by LASEMA can be replicated across Nigeria’s 36 states. He further stated that the collaboration would enjoy the backing of international organizations that currently support LASEMA, adding that such partnerships would help broaden the reach of disaster management knowledge and enhance institutional capacity nationwide. Responding, the Director General/CEO of NIS, Comrade Philip Shaibu, welcomed the initiative and assured the delegation that the Institute would reciprocate the visit as part of efforts to strengthen ties between both organizations. Shaibu reiterated his commitment to the mandate given to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition the National Institute for Sports. According to him, “The simple task given to me by the President is to reposition NIS to the position it was before now, which is producing standard coaches to fill the gap in the entire coaching system of Nigeria.” He added that partnerships with organizations such as LASEMA would contribute significantly to achieving the Institute’s objectives by integrating safety, emergency preparedness, and risk management into sports education and administration.
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Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip shaibu has called on football family and stakeholders across Nigeria to embrace unity and collaboration as a means of advancing the growth and development of the nation’s football sector. The NIS boss made the call while attending the Night of Tribute organized in honour of Nigerian football legend, Henry Onyemanze Nwosu (MON), at Saint Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos. He was accompanied by members of the Student Union Government (SUG) , management of the National Institute for Sports, whose presence underscored the Institute’s commitment to honouring sports icons and promoting leadership values among students. The immediate past deputy governor of Edo state stressed the importance of cohesion among football family, administrators, coaches, and other stakeholders, noting that unity remains a vital ingredient for sustainable development and success in Nigerian football. He urged all parties to work together in the collective interest of the sport and the nation’s future athletes. The Director General also conveyed the condolences of the institute to the family, friends, and associates of the late Henry Nwosu. He described the former Green Eagles star as a distinguished football ambassador, mentor, and role model whose contributions to the development of Nigerian football remain invaluable. Comrade Shaibu further encouraged young sports enthusiasts and administrators to emulate the discipline, commitment, and leadership qualities that defined Nwosu’s illustrious career. He noted that the late football icon’s legacy should serve as an inspiration to future generations within the sporting community. The tribute event brought together former footballers, sports administrators, coaches, family members, and admirers who celebrated the life and achievements of Henry Nwosu. Participants paid glowing tributes to his remarkable contributions to Nigerian football and his enduring impact on the lives of many within the sport. Signed:Information Department,National Institute for Sports.
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The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), His Excellency Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Friday received a special award during the 25th National Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria (CMO), Benin Ecclesiastical Province, held at St. Paul Catholic Church, Bishop Kelly Pastoral Center, Airport Road, Benin City. The award was presented to Shaibu by the Catholic Archbishop of the Benin Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubueze, in recognition of his contributions to humanity, service to God, and commitment to society. The event, themed “Walking with Christ: Reflections on 25-Years of Faith Journey,” attracted Catholic faithful, dignitaries, community leaders, and members of the organization from across the province. Speaking during his remarks at the ceremony, Shaibu said two major factors have continued to drive him throughout his life and public service, his service to God and his background in political activism dating back to his school days. According to him, his faith and activism shaped his resilience and courage in the face of political challenges and persecution. Shaibu also opened up on his political crisis with former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, describing some of the actions taken against him as petty and vindictive. He noted that the former governor revoked his properties in Benin City and his house in Jattu barely one month before the end of Obaseki administration in Edo State without his knowledge. The former deputy governor further said that just six days before leaving office, Obaseki went ahead to allocate the said Benin property to some of his Lebanese associates. “That tells you how evil he was. We must be wary of people who are devilish in their hearts but pretend to be good outside,” Shaibu stated. Despite the challenges, Shaibu expressed gratitude to individuals, religious groups, and supporters who stood by him in prayers during the political turbulence. He appealed for continued prayers, noting that the crisis was not yet over. “I want to sincerely thank everyone who stood by me in prayers during the difficult moments. I still need your prayers because the crisis is not over yet,” he added. The silver jubilee celebration marked 25 years of the Catholic Men Organization’s faith journey and service to the Church and humanity within the Benin Ecclesiastical Province. Signed:S. A. Media,Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute of Sports.
Add Your Heading Text HereShaibu Retains Okpekpe Record, Finishes Alongside Oshiomhole at 2026 International 10km Road Rac…Mamo Lama of Ethiopia emerged overall winner, Pockets 15,000 US Dollar Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), His Excellency Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Saturday once again demonstrated his enduring passion for sports and physical fitness as he successfully completed the 2026 Okpekpe International 10km Road Race, finishing in 1 hour, 18 minutes and retaining his previous record in the prestigious race. Shaibu ran alongside former Governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, who crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 17 minutes and 57 seconds, slightly ahead of the NIS boss. The VIP race experienced a delay due to technical reasons and eventually commenced at exactly 10:05 a.m., shortly after the elite athletes had begun their race at 9:00 a.m. Nigerian time. For Shaibu, the race was another testament to his commitment to sports development and healthy living. Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most active public office holders in sports, the former deputy governor had undergone just a week of preparations for the race. Remarkably, less than 24 hours before the competition, he had completed a 5-kilometre training run at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, underscoring his dedication and readiness. Speaking with journalists at the finish line, Shaibu praised the consistency of the organizers of the Okpekpe Road Race, describing the event as one of Nigeria’s most successful international sporting competitions. According to him, beyond the sporting excitement, the race continues to generate significant economic benefits for communities across Etsako land and Edo North Senatorial District, attracting visitors, athletes, officials and tourists from across Nigeria and beyond. He also acknowledged the critical role of government support in sustaining the race over the years while commending the sponsors for their unwavering commitment to the growth of athletics in Nigeria. Shaibu further appreciated the collaboration between the National Institute for Sports and the organizers, noting that NIS personnel played active roles throughout the event. “Our medical team, researchers, media personnel and other staff members, including the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Institute, were fully involved and provided support throughout the race,” he said. The 2026 edition once again attracted some of the world’s finest long-distance runners, with Ethiopia reaffirming its dominance in distance running. In the elite men’s category, Mamo Lama of Ethiopia emerged victorious with a time of 29 minutes, 37 seconds, while fellow Ethiopian Aroge Getehn finished second in 29:39. Kenya’s Maxon Kyngetich secured third position with a time of 29:58. The elite women’s category also witnessed strong performances from East African athletes. Silnat Pitwe of Ethiopia claimed first place in 34:18, narrowly ahead of compatriot Mahait Kasahiou, who finished in 34:19, while Friday Ndinda of Kenya placed third in 34:50. In the Nigerian elite men’s category, Plateau State athletes dominated the podium. Raymond Ilya Gyang emerged first with a time of 30:29, followed by Boyi James in 30:40, while Sunday Rotshak finished third in 30:44. The Nigerian women’s category was won by Patient Daylop, who clocked 36:42. Abuso Rose Thomas finished second in 36:51, while Vivian Nenyitwe secured third place with a time of 37:42. Beyond the official prize money provided by the organizers, Chairman of Oceawave Group, Mr. Peter Dunia, announced additional cash rewards for the top Nigerian finishers. The first, second and third-place winners in both the men’s and women’s Nigerian categories received 3 million, 2 million and 1 million respectively, a gesture widely applauded by athletes and stakeholders. The Okpekpe International 10km Road Race, the first World Athletics-certified road race in West Africa, has continued to grow in stature and remains a major platform for promoting athletics, tourism and economic activities in Edo State. For Comrade Philip Shaibu, crossing the finish line once again was not merely about completing another race; it was a reaffirmation of his lifelong commitment to sports, fitness and the development of athletics in Nigeria. His performance alongside Senator Adams Oshiomhole added another memorable chapter to the history of the Okpekpe Road Race and highlighted the enduring connection between leadership and sportsmanship. Signed: Ben Ogbemudia,S. A. Media,Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Sports.
Children’s Day Message by H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu As Nigeria celebrates this year’s Children’s Day, I join millions of parents, guardians, teachers, and leaders across the country in celebrating our children, the precious gifts, hope, and future of our nation. Children remain one of God’s greatest blessings to humanity. The Holy Bible reminds us in Psalm 127:3 that “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” In the same spirit, the Holy Qur’an teaches that children are among the beautiful blessings and adornments of life granted by Almighty Allah to mankind. These divine teachings remind us that every child deserves love, protection, guidance, opportunity, and a peaceful society where their dreams can flourish. Today is not only a celebration of children, but also a moment of reflection for parents, leaders, and society on the responsibility we owe the younger generation. The future of Nigeria depends greatly on how well we nurture, educate, protect, and inspire our children today. I therefore pray for every parent across Nigeria, may God continue to strengthen you with wisdom, patience, good health, and provision as you raise the next generation of leaders, innovators, peacemakers, and nation builders. To our children, I encourage you to remain disciplined, respectful, hardworking, and focused on your education and dreams. Never allow the challenges around you to diminish your greatness or your hope for a better tomorrow. You are the light of Nigeria’s future and the pride of our nation. As a people, we must continue to create an environment where every child, regardless of background, religion, or ethnicity, can grow in peace, dignity, unity, and equal opportunity. I believe strongly that the dreams we hold for Nigeria can only become reality when we invest in the wellbeing and future of our children. On this special occasion, I wish every child in Nigeria a joyful, memorable, and inspiring Children’s Day celebration. May God bless our children, bless every family, and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Happy Children’s Day. H.E. Comrade Philip ShaibuDG/CEO, National Institute for Sports (NIS)
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I heartily congratulate all Muslim faithful across Nigeria and beyond as you celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, a season that symbolizes sacrifice, faith, obedience, love, and devotion to God. I deeply appreciate the spiritual significance of this holy festival and the enduring values it represents for humanity. Eid-el-Kabir reminds us all Muslims and Christians alike the importance of sacrifice, compassion, tolerance, unity, and service to one another. As our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrate, I pray that Almighty Allah grants peace, joy, good health, and abundant blessings to every family, and continues to strengthen our nation with harmony and progress. This period also calls for sober reflection by every Nigerian, regardless of religion or ethnicity, on the urgent need to preserve our unity and promote peaceful coexistence. Nigeria can only achieve greatness when we see ourselves first as one people with a shared destiny. I therefore encourage all Nigerians, whether Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths to continue supporting efforts geared towards national unity, peace, and development, while joining hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda for a more prosperous, secure, and inclusive Nigeria. At this critical time in our nation’s history, let us reject division, hatred, and intolerance, and instead embrace love, understanding, and patriotism in the spirit of One Nigeria. May this Eid-el-Kabir celebration renew hope in our hearts and strengthen the bond of unity among all Nigerians. Eid Mubarak to all Muslim faithful. H.E. Comrade Philip ShaibuDG/CEO, National Institute for Sports (NIS)
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The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has emphasized the importance of physical fitness among stakeholders in the sports sector, noting that those responsible for training athletes must also lead by example. Shaibu made this known on Thursday in Abuja while speaking with journalists shortly after participating in the first-ever joint aerobics session involving the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), National Sports Commission (NSC), National Institute for Sports (NIS), and the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Grassroots Sports Development to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. The weekly keep-fit exercise, according to him, is part of efforts to strengthen collaboration among sports agencies while promoting both physical and mental well-being. “We cannot be in the sports ecosystem and be training others while we are not physically fit. This exercise reflects the kind of collaboration we are advocating among sports agencies, coming together to stay fit and remain physically and mentally alert for the task ahead,” he said. The NIS boss stressed that maintaining good health is critical to productivity, especially in a sector that demands high levels of physical and mental engagement. “We cannot be training sportsmen and women when we ourselves are not fit. We must lead by example. We need to keep our minds and bodies healthy. Health is wealth, we cannot be chasing wealth without also prioritizing our health. Both must go hand in hand,” Shaibu added. Also speaking, the Director of Communications of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Ademola Olajire, commended the initiative, describing it as both refreshing and impactful. “This exercise is very interesting and commendable. Keeping fit in the morning like this is something we would not mind having on a regular basis. It is a wonderful initiative, and we appreciate the NIS for putting this together,” Olajire said. The joint aerobics session, which brought together key stakeholders across Nigeria’s sports administration, is aimed at fostering unity, enhancing wellness, and promoting a culture of fitness within the country’s sports ecosystem.
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The Director General/CEO of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and its leadership for securing Nigeria’s hosting rights for the 48th Extraordinary CAF Meeting and Awards Ceremony scheduled for October 2026. Shaibu described the development as a significant milestone for the country’s global sporting image, noting that it reflects Nigeria’s growing relevance in international football administration. “I must congratulate the NFF President and officials for this achievement. It is a great feat and a positive image boost for Nigeria. This is the way to go, Nigeria must be seen and heard on the global stage,” he said. The NIS boss made these remarks while receiving former Super Eagles Coach and Technical Adviser, Austine Eguavoen, during a strategic meeting between the NIS and the Nigeria Football Federation at the Institute Boardroom . Shaibu praised Eguavoen as “a moving encyclopedia in sports,” acknowledging his vast experience and contributions to football development in Nigeria. He further emphasized the strategic role of the NIS, describing it as the engine room for sports development and coaching excellence in the country. According to him, meaningful progress in Nigerian sports requires sustained collaboration with the Institute. In his remarks, Austine Eguavoen highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships, noting that the meeting was part of a broader effort to deepen collaboration with the NIS. He also reflected on his personal journey, expressing gratitude to the Institute for shaping his career and professional growth. Eguavoen commended Shaibu’s leadership, stating that the ongoing reforms and improvements at the NIS are future-driven and impactful. “What is being done here is not just for today, but for the future of Nigerian sports,” he said, while congratulating the DG on his achievements.
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