NIS Begins Decentralisation Drive, Opens North Central Zonal Office in Plateau State

The National Institute for Sports (NIS) has officially commenced a major decentralisation drive, as its Director General/Chief Executive Officer, Comrade Philip Shaibu, formally handed over operational documents for the North Central Zonal Office to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.

The symbolic handover, which took place during Shaibu’s visit to Plateau State on Tuesday, represents a significant milestone in the Institute’s ongoing efforts to revitalise and expand its presence across Nigeria. The move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on institutional reform, youth development, and sports-driven national growth.

Describing his return to Plateau State as a “homecoming,” Comrade Shaibu noted that the expansion marks a long-awaited restructuring of the Institute. According to him, “After 52 years since the establishment of the NIS, under my stewardship, the Institute is now in Plateau State,” adding that the decentralisation effort breaks away from decades of operational concentration in Lagos and Abuja.

Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang welcomed the development, commending the leadership direction of the Institute. “When I first heard you were appointed, I asked, ‘NIS? Is it not dead?’ But what you have been able to achieve in less than a year is a testament to what young and energetic leaders like you can contribute to this country,” he stated.

Shaibu further reiterated that the core mandate of the NIS remains focused on capacity building, scientific sports training, and structured athlete development, with the broader goal of repositioning sports as a tool for youth empowerment and national development. Governor Mutfwang, in response, highlighted the scientific advantages of Plateau State for sports development, noting that its altitude offers a natural advantage for athlete conditioning. “Plateau is the home of athletes. There is no better place to train than Plateau because of its altitude,” he said.

The establishment of the North Central Zonal Office forms part of the NIS’s broader strategy to decentralize operations, strengthen regional sports development, and build a more inclusive framework for talent identification and athlete development across the country.