The House of Representatives Committee on Sports has expressed overwhelming support for the allocation to sports in Nigeria’s 2025 budget, applauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his vision and the establishment of the National Sports Commission.
The unprecedented budget, designed to drive key infrastructure projects, marks a new chapter in the development of Nigeria’s sports economy.
During a session to defend the NSC’s budget before both chambers of the National Assembly, Committee Chairman Honourable Kabiru Amadu stated that the significance of the allocation, calling it a landmark achievement.
“Sports has never received this level of attention or funding in any previous budget,” Amadu said in a statement signed by Ajayi Kehinde, the NSC Director, Information and was made available to Lapalabras.
“We must commend President Tinubu for his foresight in making sports a key component of the nation’s economic development.
The lawmaker further praised the NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, for his tireless work in securing the historic funding and delivering on the Commission’s mandate.
“This is the first time we have seen such a comprehensive allocation for sports,” he said.
“The inclusion of funding for sports federations, grassroots development, and Olympic and Commonwealth Games preparations is a milestone that will significantly impact the sector.”
“A standout feature of the proposed budget is the construction of Nigeria’s first Anti-doping Laboratory.
Dikko highlighted that the facility would not only support regulatory activities but also generate revenue, addressing a long-standing need.
“We are proud to be taking this critical step, which will help improve our global standing and reduce our reliance on foreign laboratories for testing,” Dikko said.
One committee member shared a personal anecdote, revealing how a South African official once expressed embarrassment over Nigeria’s lack of a local anti-doping lab, as Nigerian samples are often sent abroad for testing.
“I am grateful to the NSC Chairman for addressing this issue and saving us from further embarrassment,” the lawmaker remarked.
