In a bid to drive impactful reforms in the Nigerian sports sector, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has called on Secretary Generals of various Sports Federations to adopt innovative strategies in executing their duties, emphasizing the importance of creativity and professionalism in achieving national sports development goals.
Olopade made the call during a strategic meeting held with the Federation Secretaries on Tuesday in Abuja, where he commended their existing capabilities while challenging them to strive for higher performance.
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“Contrary to public perception before myself and the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, assumed office, I must say I am shocked, surprised, and very impressed with your professional qualities. You are some of the best sports minds we have in this country,” Olopade stated.
He added, however, that improvement remains essential:
“An innovative mind is vital for growth. I’m challenging your intelligence to develop fresh ideas that will enhance your output and strengthen the federations.”
Reaffirming his open-door policy, the DG encouraged all Secretaries to bring forward solutions and strategies that can elevate their respective federations, especially in line with the NSC’s core mandate of Reset, Refocus, and Relaunch.
Highlighting the Commission’s focus on athlete welfare and high-performance delivery, Olopade noted the establishment of the Elite and Podium Board, aimed at categorizing top athletes and ensuring structured training support.
“The welfare of our athletes is of utmost importance. That’s why we created the Elite and Podium Board, and we are already seeing their impact through training grant allocations,” he said.
In a significant policy shift, Olopade announced that all top-tier athletes listed under Category A of the Podium Board would henceforth travel business class for international competitions, underlining a commitment to professionalism and global standards.
“No more jamboree travelling. Every decision now must be scientifically driven to deliver high-performance results,” he concluded.
The meeting signals a renewed push by the NSC to reposition Nigerian sports on the global stage through innovative leadership, athlete-centered planning, and strategic federation management.
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