The leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday to present a progress report on their efforts to revamp the Nigerian sports sector.
During the meeting, Mallam Shehu Dikko expressed gratitude to the President for entrusting him and Hon. Olopade with the task of transforming the sector. Dikko assured President Tinubu of their commitment to advancing the “Renewed Hope” agenda through sports.
“As the father of the nation, I want to thank you once again for choosing me and my brother, the DG, Bukola Olopade, for this all-important assignment. I see it as a massive opportunity to help propagate the Renewed Hope agenda through sports,” Dikko said.
He further highlighted the encouraging response from stakeholders and the private sector, emphasizing their determination not to disappoint the President and Nigerians.
Hon. Bukola Olopade echoed Dikko’s sentiments, commending President Tinubu’s passion for sports development and pledging to contribute to his legacy in Nigerian sports.
“You have shown us that you have a special place for sports in your heart, and we are determined to be part of the legacies you want to leave behind in the annals of Nigerian sports,” Olopade remarked.
He also assured the President of their dedication to ensuring Nigerian sports achieve a sustainable economic outlook.
The meeting was attended by Chief Adegboye Adeyinka, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroot Sports Development, who emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement in fostering sports growth nationwide.
President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to revitalizing the sports sector, focusing on growth, sustainability, and private-sector partnerships.
The NSC leadership pledged to sustain the momentum in driving the transformation of Nigerian sports into a key contributor to the nation’s economic development.
The meeting marks a significant step in President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to reposition the sports sector for national growth and global competitiveness.