National Institute For Sports

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), His Excellency Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Monday joined other top dignitaries in a series of landmark events across Edo North, highlighted by the commissioning of key projects at the reconstructed Auchi College. At the ceremony, held under the supervision of the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Shaibu commissioned the newly completed science laboratory, underscoring the collective commitment of leaders toward advancing education and youth development in the state. The event attracted a high-powered delegation including Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), the Minister for Regional development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Edo State APC Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, members of the Edo State House of Assembly, party leaders, and other government officials. Shaibu noted the importance of modern educational infrastructure in shaping the future of students, particularly in science and technology-driven fields. The reconstructed Auchi College stands as a model of modern learning, featuring a fully equipped ICT/CBT center with 300 computers serving as a digital library, standard science blocks for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and a well-developed sports complex with lawn tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts, as well as a synthetic football pitch. Additional infrastructure includes internal road networks, functional drainage systems, perimeter fencing, a modern gatehouse, solar-powered borehole with 10,000-litre capacity, 20KVA hybrid solar system, CCTV surveillance, and solar street lighting. The project also delivered a renovated 1,000-capacity event center, administrative building, multipurpose hall, furnished classrooms, and a vocational training center equipped with sewing and weaving machines. A food and nutrition section with modern kitchen equipment was also provided, while the former Vice Principal’s residence was converted into a cafeteria, sickbay, and corpers’ lodge. The development was facilitated by the Association of Great Achievers, Class of 1991, in collaboration with Dr. Peter Omoh Dunia and his twin brother, Paul Odion Dunia, whose vision and support made the project possible. The donors further provided a luxury school bus, school bags, and other learning materials for students. Earlier at Edo State University, Iyamoh, Shaibu, alongside Governor Okpebholo, Senator Oshiomhole, and other leaders, witnessed the foundation laying of a fitness center sponsored by Dr. Peter Omoh Dunia. The Governor also commissioned a Business Administration e-library donated by Ehi Agbonmen, President of Freedom Group of Companies, as well as the university’s health center. During his remarks, Senator Adams Oshiomhole described Shaibu as “a very energetic sportsman on khaki,” noting that the planned fitness center is timely, especially as the NIS DG is exploring opportunities to expand sports facilities across the country. He added that such projects would complement Shaibu’s broader vision for sports development in Nigeria. Governor Okpebholo also announced a donation of N2 billion and four buses to Edo State University, while commending the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor O. Adetimirin, for donating his first salary to support development initiatives within the institution. The day’s activities culminated in a major political gathering at Ikelebe Football Pitch in Auchi, where Shaibu stood alongside party leaders to welcome decampees from the PDP, ADC, and other political parties into the All Progressives Congress (APC), further strengthening the party’s grassroots presence in Etsako West Local Government Area. The events collectively reflect a coordinated effort by government, political leaders, and private contributors to advance education, infrastructure, and community development across Edo North. Signed:Ben Ogbemudia,S. A. Media,Office of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Sports.

In a historic and much-anticipated move, the National Institute for Sports (NIS) officially commenced operations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones: South-South (Edo), South-East (Enugu), South-West (Ogun), North-Central (Plateau), North-East (Adamawa), and North-West (Kaduna) marking a bold step forward in the nation’s sports development. This monumental action sets the stage for the academic academy activities scheduled to kick off in April, promising to elevate sports education and training to unprecedented heights. This is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda and his visionary effort to diversify Nigeria’s economy using sports as a unifying tool and a platform to empower the nation’s youth, as the DG/CEO of the National Institute for Sports, H. E Comrade Philip Shaibu has said the institute has keyed fully into this bold national mission. The immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo State said the move to decentralize the National Institute for Sports across the six geopolitical zones in strategic partnership with the governors of the respective states, ensuring that sports development, talent identification, and youth empowerment reach every corner of the nation. It is impossible to overstate the foresight, courage, and patriotism of President Tinubu, whose leadership continues to bring new initiatives into reality like the NIS after 52 years. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to youth empowerment, national unity, and sustainable development provides the foundation upon which Shaibu’s visionary work thrives. Today’s achievement is as much a triumph for President Tinubu’s Nigeria-first agenda as it is for NIS, showing that with such leadership, the nation’s dreams for sports, youth, and unity are not just possible, they are unfolding before our eyes. The timely and visionary intervention of Shaibu has been the driving force behind this laudable achievement. His relentless mission to reposition Nigeria in the global sports arena is gaining unstoppable momentum, drawing admiration from stakeholders in the National Assembly, sports enthusiasts, and even those who once doubted his resolve. Shaibu’s commitment to national service, innovation, and empowerment is now impossible to ignore. His leadership has breathed new life into Nigeria’s sports world, inspiring a new generation of athletes, coaches, and administrators. Today, Nigerians are not just acknowledging his efforts, they admire him, celebrate him, and even those once skeptical now find themselves moved by his vision and commitment. The commencement of operations at NIS across all six zones is more than a procedural achievement; it is evidence that Shaibu is results-oriented, an achievement that promises to reshape sports development in Nigeria for decades to come. His mission that was merely an aspiration, is now a living reality, and the impact will be felt nationwide. NIS gears up for its April academic programs, the nation watches with anticipation, ready to witness the fruits of a labor driven by vision, courage, and the undeniable leadership of Philip Shaibu. This remarkable achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the visionary President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose leadership and commitment to national unity, youth empowerment, and economic diversification continue to open doors for leaders like Philip Shaibu to execute transformative initiatives. With such a president at the helm, Nigeria’s sports future and the nation’s unity and prosperity have never been brighter. From the Desk of the S.A. Media,Office of the DG CEO NIS

Removal of bottleneck bureaucracy in sports funding: NIS DG/CEO lauds Tinubu ‎The Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H. E. Comrade Philip Shaibu has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ending bureaucratic delays in sports funding.‎‎Comrade Shaibu in message he personally signed to President Tinubu said the directive that all budgetary allocation for sports be released immediately after budget passage has totally eradicated the bottleneck encountered by Nigerian Sports.‎‎”President Tinubu has broken yet another jinx as a jinx breaker, for his visionary and timely directive aimed at ending bureaucratic delays in sports financing in Nigeria. This is a resounding Thank you message to you our amiable President. You have not only offered the platform for service but has also provided the enabling environment and tools which has been the missing link in the history of Nigeria sports.”‎‎An elated NIS DG thanked the President for this milestone in Nigerian Sports funding, a struggle which he personally was in the forefront that the bureaucratic method which has repressed the growth of sports be removed.‎‎”I am indeed proud to be alive to witness this revolution in Nigeria sports.‎The bold intervention by Mr. President will enhance the planning, execution and sustainability of sports programmes nationwide. Timely access to funds will ensure that critical sports infrastructure projects are completed as scheduled, training facilities are upgraded, and equipment is procured to meet international standards. The President’s order to review sports-related allocations currently dispersed across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will bring much-needed coordination, transparency and efficiency into sports administration.”‎‎According to the immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo State, ” this restructuring will strengthen sports as a national institution, eliminate duplication of roles, and allow for more strategic investment in athlete development and capacity building.‎‎The National Institute of Sports (NIS) believes that this decision will reposition sports as a viable tool for youth empowerment, national unity, economic growth and global recognition. It also reinforces the Renewed Hope Agenda’s commitment to institutional reforms that deliver measurable outcomes.