President of the Nigeria Shooting Federation Mohammed Shettima has admitted that shooting remains a relatively unpopular sport in the country, but insists that deliberate steps are being taken to transform its image and expand participation.
Speaking on the federation’s plans, Shettima revealed that efforts are underway to reposition the sport through structural reforms and strategic partnerships.
“We know where we are,” he said, acknowledging the current challenges facing shooting in Nigeria.
One of the key steps taken by the federation is the review of its constitution, aimed at creating a more inclusive and functional framework that allows for better engagement with stakeholders.
“We’ve made changes,” he noted, highlighting the importance of modernizing governance within the sport.
In addition to internal reforms, Shettima disclosed that the federation is actively collaborating with institutions such as the military and police.
These partnerships, he explained, are designed to leverage existing expertise in handling firearms and transfer that knowledge to athletes in a controlled and professional environment.
“We are working with them,” he implied.
For the federation, this approach serves a dual purpose, improving technical standards while also building credibility and awareness around the sport.
Shettima believes that with the right structure and support, shooting can grow into a more prominent discipline within Nigeria’s sporting landscape.
“It’s about changing perception,” he stressed.
As the federation continues its efforts, the focus will be on attracting new participants, developing talent, and creating opportunities for competition.
For Nigerian sports, the initiative represents an attempt to diversify beyond traditional disciplines.
And as Shettima suggests, with the right strategy, even less popular sports can find their place.
Because growth begins with vision.
And the federation is aiming to deliver exactly that.
