…charge NSC, NFF to utilise fund prudently
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has commended President Bola Tinubu for remarkably jerking the 2025 budget for sports sector, from ₦29 billion in 2024 to over ₦94 billion in 2025.
Chairman House Committee on Sports, Rep. Kabiru Amadu, stated this during the budget defense session of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and National Institute for Sports (NIS) on Tuesday in Abuja.
Rep Amadu described the increase in budgetary allocation as a turning point for sports in Nigeria.
He said: “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has tripled the sports budget from ₦29,082,369,979 in 2024 to ₦94,947,006,325 in 2025. This represents a 227% increase in the expenditure framework. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hereby commended for this giant stride in budgetary allocation to the sports sector. We hope this increment will mark a significant turning point in the development, administration, and management of sports activities in Nigeria.”
He expressed optimism that the increased budgetary allocation would address several challenges in the sports sector.
The Chairman further noted that these include the decay of sports infrastructure, particularly the national stadiums, insufficient funding for over 40 sports federations, the lack of sustainable development plans, and inadequate manpower and training.
He therefore pledged the committee’s commitment to support the NSC, NFF, and NIS to ensure the timely release and effective utilization of the allocated funds.
“The House Committee on Sports assures the NSC, NFF, and NIS of total support to facilitate the release of funds from the federal government. This support will drive sports development, particularly at the grassroots level,” he said.
Rep. Amadu also assured that the committee would perform its legislative oversight functions diligently to ensure that funds allocated are utilized effectively after the budget is passed into law.
In his presentation, the Chairman National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, highlighted key projects the commission plans to implement, which include upgrading the Abuja National Stadium and other stadiums nationwide.
Dikko also revealed plans to rebrand and commercialize 200 hostels within the NFF building, a move expected to contribute to the nation’s economic growth, he also disclosed that the commission intends to construct 100 mini-stadiums across the country as part of efforts to boost sports development at the community level.
“The commission is committed to revitalizing Nigeria’s sports sector in line with global best practices,” Dikko said.