Tinubu orders funding overhaul to make Nigerian sports viable, competitive and better funded from 2026.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s sports sector, directing a reset of funding mechanisms from the 2026 fiscal year to make the industry more economically viable and globally competitive.

The President announced the decision on Friday via his verified X handle, @officialABAT, describing sports as one of Nigeria’s strongest national brands and a powerful instrument for unity and international influence.

Tinubu acknowledged that Nigeria’s sports development has long been hampered by bureaucratic delays, fragmented funding structures and inadequate investment in infrastructure.

“For too long, sports funding was slowed by bureaucracy, fragmented across institutions, and when funds are released, they come too late to support proper preparation and even participation,” he said, adding that insufficient attention had been paid to sports infrastructure that meets international standards.

To address these challenges, the President directed the Ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and the Budget Office of the Federation to reset sports funding beginning from 2026. He ordered that adequate budgetary provisions be made annually for sports

infrastructure, programmes, events and participation in international competitions.

Tinubu further directed that funds appropriated for sports should be released immediately after the national budget is passed and assented to, stressing that Nigerian athletes deserve certainty and timely support.

As part of the reforms, allocations for sporting activities currently spread across various ministries, departments and agencies will be reviewed and streamlined. Savings from the restructuring, he said, will be transferred into a unified funding framework under the National Sports Commission (NSC) to strengthen domestic programmes and international participation.

The President said the reforms are anchored on the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), aimed at positioning sports as a driver of job creation, tourism, investment and global influence.

He added that his administration would build a stronger sports ecosystem through scientific elite athlete development, grassroots participation, revitalised sports federations and hosting major international events.

“Sports is our national asset and must be administered, managed, and funded in alignment with its special nature, devoid of bureaucratic bottlenecks,” Tinubu said.

Highlighting recent achievements, the President disclosed that Nigerian athletes won a record 373 medals across all sports in 2025, citing strong performances in athletics, football, basketball and other disciplines. He said the results demonstrate Nigeria’s potential when talent is supported with structure and preparation.

Tinubu commended the NSC for progress recorded despite challenges and praised its leadership under Chairman Shehu Dikko for driving reforms aligned with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. (AriseNews TV)

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