…says Nigeria hopeful on its protest against DR Congo
Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), on Thursday, said Nigeria’s sports sector contributed 1.2% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2025 and generated about 140,000 jobs across the value chain.
Dikko, briefing State House Journalists after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also urged Nigeria sport lovers to await the verdict of the International Football Federation FIFA, on country’s chances of featuring at the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking on the Commission’s 2025 performance, approvals granted by the President, and projections for 2026, Dikko said performance of the sports sector is no longer measured by the number of medals won.
“We are no longer measuring sports by medals alone. We are measuring it by contribution to GDP and job creation.
“Last year, we induced almost 140,000 jobs, direct, indirect and induced, across the sporting ecosystem,” he said.
“We came to brief the President on what we achieved last year, the approvals he graciously granted, the stage of execution, and our plans for 2026. So far, so good. The President is very happy and excited about the progress,” Dikko said.
Dikko who also noted that the sector recorded major milestones in 2025, said aside winning of nearly 375 medals in various international competitions and attracting about N50 billion in private sector investment, the Commission’s “Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy,” aimed at repositioning sports as a sustainable economic growth driver.
“What the President has done for sports has never been like this before. His decisive approvals and directive that budgeted funds for sports be released promptly will help us plan better and deliver results,” Dikko added.
He revealed that the President approved the constitution of the Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Agency, following the signing of the long-awaited anti-doping bill.
The development, he said, restored Nigeria’s compliance status with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
“After almost 20 years, the anti-doping bill was signed last year. Now the board has been approved for constitution. Nigeria has been cleared and recognised as a clean country in sports,” he stated.
Speaking further on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification dispute, he said the matter had been formally escalated to FIFA over alleged breaches during the African play-off final.
Recall that the Nigeria’s national football team were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after losing on penalties by 3 goals to 4 in favour of the DR Congo in the African play-off final in November 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) later filed a protest, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players due to dual citizenship issues under Congolese law.
Dikko expressed confidence in Nigeria’s case but acknowledged that the outcome now lies with FIFA’s independent judicial bodies.
“World Cup is a closed chapter for us competitively, but the legal matter is pending. The relevant independent bodies within FIFA will decide,” he said.
Nigeria’s hopes of reinstatement hinge on a favourable ruling that could return the country to the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for late March 2026 in Mexico.
Dikko highlighted renewed emphasis on grassroots development, citing the introduction of invited junior athletes as a “38th state” at the National Sports Festival and the creation of intermediate games for Under-18 and Under-20 athletes.
Highlighting othe areas of achievements, Dikko listed partnership between the Sports Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education to revive school sports competitions nationwide.
“We have directed all sporting federations that if they are not developing grassroots and domestic competitions, we will not support them for international outings,” he said.
The NSC chairman further revealed that President Tinubu approved measures to fast-track funding releases for sports once the 2026 budget is signed to ensure timely preparation for competitions.
