The National Sports Commission has officially inaugurated its newly established Elite Athletes and Podium Board, with a clear mandate to implement a sustainable scientific approach to athlete discovery, welfare, and podium performances.
The inauguration, led by the Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, marks a significant step in the country’s commitment to addressing long-standing challenges in Nigerian sports.
The newly formed board, headed by former Nigerian international Yusuf Ali as CEO, is tasked with transforming the landscape of Nigerian athletics by creating a structured, long-term system for athlete development.
Dikko said the board’s key role in solving persistent issues affecting Nigerian athletes at international competitions, such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
“This board is not a committee,” he began.
“Committees are temporary, but we want to ensure this initiative outlives all of us. “For the first time in Nigerian sports history, we have created an annual budget line dedicated to major international competitions.”
Dikko also highlighted that the board’s initiatives would be legally backed as the NSC’s act undergoes review, with sustainable funding and attracting private sector support.
While acknowledging that the allocated budget may not be sufficient, he noted that the funding would signal the government’s commitment to Nigeria’s sporting future.
Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, further outlined the board’s responsibilities.
He stated that the board would identify priority sports for the country, offer incentives for optimal athlete performance, and provide coaching for life after sports.
Additionally, the board will conduct feasibility studies for high-performance centers and establish professional remuneration structures for athletes.
A notable guest at the inauguration, Sunday Dare, Special Senior Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, urged the board to meet the expectations placed upon them and help Nigeria achieve consistent success on the world stage.
His presence at the event underscored the strong support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for ongoing reforms in Nigerian sports.
In his remarks, Yusuf Ali, CEO of the Elite Athletes and Podium Board, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the initiative.
“We will deliver on the mandate given to us, and I thank the leadership of the NSC for entrusting us with this important task,” Ali said.
The board’s membership includes distinguished professionals such as Prof. Ken Anugweje (Adviser), Olumide Bamiduro (Secretary), Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, and Mary Onyali, among others.
Additional members represent key organisations, including the Nigeria Olympics Committee (Olumide Oyedeji), NAPHER-SD (Otunba Sylvester Ikuejamoye), and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (Isa Suleiman).
This inauguration is a crucial step toward reshaping Nigeria’s sporting system and enhancing the country’s performance in international competitions for years to come.
