At the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, unveiled key indicators of sports sector revitalization under the Tinubu Administration.
Highlights include:
Sports contribution surpassing 1% of national GDP in the third and fourth quarters of 2025.
Creation of over 220,000 jobs across the sports value chain.
Mobilization of more than ₦50 billion in private sector investment.
Expansion of Nigeria’s profile as a host of international sporting events.
The policy framework was presented by Mallam Dikko during the Senior Executive Course 48 (SEC 48) in 2026. His presentation, themed around the Orange Economy and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), underscores the government’s commitment to positioning sports as a structured sector with measurable economic impact.
Mallam Dikko emphasized that the sports sector now intersects with culture, tourism, media, infrastructure, and youth enterprise, forming an integral part of Nigeria’s orange economy.
Priority reforms include:
Enhancing governance structures through the revitalized National Sports Commission.
Encouraging private sector engagement and bankable sports ventures.
Developing infrastructure via innovative financing mechanisms, including sports bonds.
Implementing data-driven performance metrics for the sector.
Expanding grassroots development and talent identification programs.
A centerpiece of the strategy is the Sports City concept, starting in Abuja, which aims to create fully integrated sports hubs with year-round activity, turning infrastructure into vibrant economic engines.
Overall, the initiative signals a clear direction: Nigeria is building a sports economy that generates employment, attracts investment, and makes tangible contributions to national GDP.