The path to Nigeria’s sporting future blazed brightly at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium as the grand finale of the MTN Champs Season 3 unfolded in a thrilling showcase of young talent—and a resounding call for deeper private sector involvement.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, declared the MTN Champs a “shining example” of how corporate partnerships can transform grassroots development and reignite Nigeria’s once-thriving talent pipeline.
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“The MTN Champs is not just a competition—it’s a movement. It embodies the President’s vision for grassroots development and shows what’s possible when the private sector commits to nation-building through sports,” Dikko stated.
He emphasized that years of neglect have left the country struggling to replace its ageing sports icons due to a broken talent development system.
But with deliberate focus and collaboration, especially from companies like MTN, that narrative is set to change.
“We’re reviving school sports. We’re fixing the conveyor belt of talent. But we can’t do it alone,” Dikko said, adding that the Commission’s RHINSE framework—prioritizing results, holistic growth, inclusion, sustainability, and engagement—is now guiding national efforts.
Dikko praised MTN for their consistency, calling the MTN Champs “a beacon of what’s possible” and urged more brands to follow suit.
“This initiative proves how education, opportunity, and sports can converge to inspire a generation, uplift communities, and fuel national pride.”
As Season 3 ends, one thing is clear—Nigeria’s grassroots sports revival may have found its champion, and its future may well be written in the sweat and dreams of the young athletes who took center stage in Uyo.
