The Director General of the Nigeria Institute for Sports (NIS), Phillip Shaibu, has explained that the management decided to decentralise its operations to enhance effectiveness in producing world-class athletes and coaches. The former Edo State deputy governor also revealed plans to make Nigeria a top contender in long-distance races at major international championships.
Expansion to Six Zonal Offices
Speaking after announcing NIS scholarships for top Nigerian finishers and their coaches at the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race, Shaibu said the institute now has zonal offices in all six geopolitical zones. These include the South-South Zone in Benin, North-Central Zone in Jos, South-East in Enugu, South-West in Abeokuta, North-West in Kaduna, and North-East in Adamawa.
Scholarships and Athlete Development
The first three Nigerian finishers at the Okpekpe race, all from Plateau State, have been awarded scholarships along with their coaches as part of a 10-year roadmap under the athlete development unit. The Abuja office serves as the athlete development centre, and these athletes form the first cohort.
Shaibu stated, “Nigeria has no business celebrating bronze or silver in the Olympics if we prepare these young ones properly. The target is that at next year’s Okpekpe race, the dollar has to be shared among Nigerians. Some of them will remain in Nigeria, if not all. They can’t be coming here and taking our dollars. That will stop soon.”
Parental Agreements and Education
The NIS will meet with parents of the athletes to explain plans and secure guarantees that they will combine sports with education. Shaibu cited his experience as deputy governor of Edo State, where he helped develop players like Imade Osarenkhoe, who graduated as an engineer from the University of Benin and became top scorer in the NPFL before playing abroad.
“What we will do is go to the grassroots, pick promising athletes, talk to their parents, and groom them into stars,” he added.
Challenges and Government Support
Shaibu acknowledged challenges faced during the reorganisation but noted that they have been overcome with the support of President Bola Tinubu. He emphasised that NIS is the only agency in sports handling training of athletes, manpower, coaches, and referees, with offices technically structured for these programmes.
