For far too long, sports in Nigeria has been viewed largely as entertainment, a weekend distraction, a national pride booster, or at best, a career path for a lucky few. But what if we began to see sports as more than just a game? What if we positioned it as a strategic economic sector, with the potential to generate jobs, attract investment, drive tourism, and ultimately contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s GDP?
In 2022, the global sports industry was valued at over $512 billion and is projected to reach $624 billion by 2027. In contrast, Nigeria’s current contribution of sports to GDP remains marginal; according to the National Bureau of Statistics, it’s hovering around 0.3 percent. This figure pales in comparison to the over 2.5 percent of sports that contribute to the GDP of countries like South Africa, and even more in developed economies like the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Just yesterday, Nigeria received $1 million into her economy through sports. This can be a recurrent achievement if we do the right thing.
Yet, Nigeria, a sports-loving nation with a huge population, the majority of whom are under 35 years old, with an untapped athletic potential, wastes away due to the absence of structure, investment, and grassroots development. Beyond football, Nigeria is a nation blessed with natural athletes. While football continues to dominate our national consciousness, and rightly so, given our international reputation. Nigeria’s athletic strength is far broader than just the beautiful game.
In athletics, Nigeria has produced world champions like Tobi Amusan, the current world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles. In basketball, the men’s national team, D’Tigers, made history by defeating the U.S. in a pre-Olympic friendly, signalling our global competitiveness. In wrestling, Odunayo Adekuoroye and Blessing Oborodudu have put Nigeria on the map with multiple international medals. In table tennis, Aruna Quadri consistently ranks among the world’s best players. In combat sports, Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya have flown Nigeria’s flag high in the UFC.
These achievements were born not of structured investment, but of individual grit and self-sponsored development. Imagine the multiplier effect if we can deliberately develop sports hubs and talent pipelines across every region of the country.
There are yet many Esther Okoronkwo out there, who are meant to courageously orchestrate a memorable comeback for Nigeria. There are many Rasheedat Ajibade who are supposed to captain Nigeria with grit and resilience, bringing more trophies home. But these talents with raw abilities are left to deplete in the streets, while other talents are merely trying to fit into a wrong hole just to make ends meet. Nigeria has the capacity to win the World Cup; yes, we do. We have the talents, we have the fighting spirit, and we have excess energy; we only need the beacons to direct us on the right way to follow.
We have all been jubilating over the recent victory of our Super Falcons, celebrating not just their talent but the pride and unity they ignite across Nigeria. Their resilience on the global stage reminds us of what Nigeria is capable of when our potential is supported, but let’s pause and ask: is that really our best? Is this occasional spark of glory the full extent of what we can achieve through sports?
The truth is, we can do much more, and we must. If we are truly serious about diversifying our economy and empowering our young people, then sports development must move from the periphery of national planning to the very heart of our economic agenda. Rather than celebrate episodic success, we should channel this national excitement into policy-backed investment, infrastructure development, talent grooming, and sports enterprise.
To build a sustainable pipeline of sports talent, Nigeria must begin at the secondary school level, where energy and enthusiasm meet opportunity. For decades, inter-school sports competitions like the Principal’s Cup used to be a hotbed for discovering raw talent. Today, those structures are either underfunded or extinct in many states. Every secondary school should have at least one playable sports field, and sports development must be integrated into the broader education reform strategy. This way, young Nigerians are not only taught to pass exams but also prepared to build careers beyond the classroom.
Equally important is harnessing the untapped potential of street kids and out-of-school youth, many of whom possess extraordinary physical ability but are cut off from formal development channels. Across Nigeria, in places like Agege (Lagos), Rumuokoro (Port Harcourt), or Sabon Gari (Kano), you’ll find youth dominating street football games or impromptu sprints. These young people need structured interventions such as open sports centres and inclusive scouting programmes that can spot and redirect their energy into progress.
Announcing a vision for this alone will not suffice. Nigeria needs a deliberate establishment of sports facilities across all 774 local government areas. These don’t have to be billion-naira stadiums but practical, multi-sport community hubs where youth can train, compete, and grow. A modest football field, basketball court, and athletic track, properly maintained and supervised, can change the trajectory of an entire community. Imagine a national blueprint that mandates each local government to establish and run one functional sports centre per LGA, supported by state sports councils. With consistency, transparency, and public-private collaboration, this vision is well within reach.
Developing a sports economy does more than create champions; it creates jobs. With local leagues, tournaments, and training academies come opportunities in event management, content creation, marketing, and logistics. Imagine Nigeria hosting national or regional sports festivals that draw participants from all over West Africa. The ripple effect on hospitality, transportation, local trade, and media would be significant.
It’s time for policymakers, private investors, and development agencies to move beyond episodic support for athletes and embrace sports as a sector worthy of long-term investment. Ministries of Sports should no longer function as ceremonial arms of government. They must be transformed into strategic development hubs, with measurable goals, sector-specific funding, and public-private partnerships.
Sports is not just an entertainment. It’s our national pride. It’s our unity. It’s our strength.
If we treat it as such, we will not only produce the next generation of global champions, but we will also build an economy where talent, discipline, and opportunity come together to shape a better Nigeria.
About the writer:
Deborah Yemi-Oladayo is the Managing Director of Proten International, a leading HR Consulting firm in Nigeria, specialising in Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, and HR Advisory Services. Email: d.yoladayo@protenintl.com
