Grassroot Sports Development

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has called for a sweeping reform of Nigeria’s sports system, stressing the need to return to grassroots development and enforce discipline across all levels. Shaibu made this known while receiving the President of the Nigeria Grassroot Sports Forum, FCT , Godwin Bamigboye, during a courtesy visit to the NIS Athletes Development Centre in Abuja. Recounting his personal experience, Shaibu revealed that his football career began in the Federal Capital Territory, where he played under the Youth Football . He noted that, in the past, youth competitions at the U-15, U-16, and U-17 levels provided Nigerian players with early exposure to international tournaments, an approach he said should be revived. “Youth Football was once strong pillars of grassroots football development. Young players were discovered early and nurtured through structured competitions. That system gave many of us the foundation to grow professionally,” he said. The NIS boss expressed concern over what he described as the decline of sports in Nigeria, alleging that individuals who contributed to the deterioration of the system are still occupying key positions. “Sports went down completely in Nigeria, and many of those responsible are still within the system. We must address that if we are serious about rebuilding,” Shaibu stated. He emphasized that sports development should be driven by passion, discipline, and proper planning rather than financial incentives alone. Reflecting on his playing days, Shaibu said athletes of his generation were motivated by passion and commitment. Highlighting his tenure as Deputy Governor of Edo State, Shaibu pointed to the transformation of Bendel Insurance Football Club as a model of effective sports management. According to him, the team recorded an unbeaten run in the Nigerian league due to strategic planning, discipline, and prompt payment of allowances. “We ensured proper organization, enforced discipline among players and management, and made funding available. Match bonuses were paid ahead of games, and that translated into results,” he explained. Shaibu also stressed the importance of long-term athlete development, noting that Edo State invested in grooming athletes for four years ahead of hosting the National Sports Festival, a strategy that yielded multiple medals. Looking ahead to international competitions, he raised concerns about Nigeria’s lack of preparation for the 2028 Olympics, calling on the National Sports Commission to establish a clear roadmap. “We cannot continue to scout players abroad while neglecting grassroots development at home. That is not how to build a sustainable sports system,” he said, adding that consistent data tracking and performance evaluation of athletes are critical to success. On the performance of the national team, Shaibu lamented Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, urging stakeholders to focus on accountability and forward planning rather than blame-shifting. “It is not about apologies. We must ask hard questions and begin preparations early. Responsibility lies with those managing the system,” he noted. He reaffirmed NIS’s commitment to grassroots sports development, stating that the institute has expanded its operations to all six geopolitical zones to strengthen talent discovery and capacity building. “We are ready to partner with organizations like yours to drive grassroots sports development across the country,” Shaibu added. Earlier in his remarks, Godwin Bamigboye identified the lack of grassroots focus as a major challenge facing Nigerian sports, noting that the system has been operating from the top down rather than building from the base. “It is troubling that some professional players emerge without any traceable development history from school coaches to grassroots trainers. These are gaps we must close,” he said. Bamigboye commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Shaibu as DG of NIS and for creating the position of Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports, describing both moves as deliberate efforts to address existing gaps in the sector. He emphasized the critical role of trainers in talent development, stressing that without skilled personnel to identify and nurture athletes, progress would remain limited. “We must train the trainers. Once we build capacity at that level, the impact will be felt across the grassroots,” he said. Bamigboye further praised Shaibu’s leadership at NIS, particularly the expansion of its programs to the six geopolitical zones, which he described as a strategic step toward deepening grassroots sports development nationwide. He expressed the forum readiness to collaborate with NIS, revealing that the federation has developed a comprehensive blueprint aimed at revitalizing grassroots sports in Nigeria.