Coaching Development in Nigeria Should Be Left for NIS – Philip Shaibu

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sports Tonight, Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Rt. Hon. Comdr. Philip Shaibu, emphasized that training and certifying coaches in Nigeria is legally and practically the core responsibility of the NIS.

Shaibu addressed the current gaps in the nation’s sports coaching ecosystem, revealing that thousands of active coaches in Nigeria lack proper certification due to years of institutional neglect.

To bridge this gap, the NIS has revamped its curriculum, introduced flexible short-term courses, and partnered with the University of Benin to launch degree programs in Sports Science, Coaching, and Sports Medicine starting next year.

He further highlighted ongoing talks with global and regional sports federations including FIFA, CAF, and FIBA to return standard licensing courses directly under the purview of the NIS.

Beyond coaching development, Shaibu called for sweeping reforms across the entire Nigerian sports administration framework, urging all government agencies and federations to collaborate and restore proper governance.