The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has called for strategic collaboration with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to strengthen sports education and develop a skilled workforce within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.
Shaibu made this known during a visit by the NIS management team to the NELFUND office, where he emphasized the critical role the fund can play in supporting aspiring coaches and sports professionals.
“We are here to partner with NELFUND. They have a key role in developing coaches and building the workforce needed in the sports sector,” Shaibu said.
Providing historical context, the NIS DG noted that the institute was conceived in 1972 and formally established in 1974, with a clear mandate to train sports personnel not only for Nigeria but for the wider African continent.
“NIS once trained coaches from across Africa who came to learn sports administration and coaching. Unfortunately, the institute suffered years of neglect and mismanagement,” he stated.
He credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for revitalizing the institute, describing his appointment as part of a deliberate effort to restore NIS to its foundational purpose.
“Mr. President, out of his magnanimity, decided to bring life back into the NIS, the engine room of sports development in Nigeria. What was missing was life, and that is what has now been restored,” Shaibu added.
According to him, the current administration of NIS is focused on returning the institute to its original vision while aligning it with modern standards. He revealed that other African countries are now adopting similar models that Nigeria conceptualized over five decades ago.
“Our institute was modelled after leading institutions in Australia and Germany. The structures are still standing and solid, but they lacked vitality. Today, we are rebuilding that strength with purpose,” he said.
The immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo state disclosed that upon assuming office, he requested the original design plans and the decree establishing the institute, only to discover significant gaps.
“It felt like stepping into the unknown, but we had to chart a new path. That led to the development of a 10-year strategic plan to guide the institute’s mission and vision,” he explained.
The strategic document, he said, was developed through consultations with past and present NIS managementrs, stakeholders, and private sector contributors. A 32-member committee, led by Engr. Ahmed Musa Kida, was subsequently set up to refine the document into an actionable roadmap.
Highlighting achievements so far, Shaibu pointed to the decentralization of the institute across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, improved operational structures, and growing partnerships with state governments and private organizations.
He reiterated that grassroots sports development remains central to the institute’s renewed focus.
“Mr. President is particularly passionate about grassroots sports, and that is where we are directing our energy,” he said.
Shaibu also noted challenges faced by students, particularly in meeting tuition obligations, revealing that the institute has allowed installment payments as a temporary measure.
“Some of our students have requested to pay their fees in installments, and I approved it. However, this is why collaboration with NELFUND is essential, as there is already a framework designed by Mr. President to support such needs,” he explained.
He added that the institute has developed programs aimed at engaging young people, taking them off the streets, and equipping them with valuable skills through sports.
Presenting the institute’s 10-year development plan to NELFUND, Shaibu described the NELFUND as a brand NIS is eager to align with in order to advance national development goals.
“We must all contribute our part to building the new Nigeria envisioned by Mr. President,” he concluded.
In his response, the Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Oluwale Sawyerr, commended Shaibu’s leadership journey and expressed confidence in his capacity to reposition the institute.
“I know for sure that the journey that has brought you here was not easy, from student leadership to the House of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and as a two-term Deputy Governor of Edo State. These are significant achievements,” Sawyerr said.
He noted that President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Shaibu as DG of NIS reflects trust in his ability to drive national sports development.
Sawyerr also shared his personal experiences in sports during his early years abroad and emphasized the importance of using sports as a tool for youth engagement and social development.
“We must do all we can to take young people off the streets and engage them productively through sports,” he said.
The NELFUND boss assured the NIS of the fund’s readiness to support the institute through strategic partnership and access to educational loans, similar to its support for other sectors.
“I am excited about this visit and look forward to a fruitful collaboration,” he added.
The meeting ended with both institutions expressing commitment to working together to expand opportunities in sports education and empower the next generation of Nigerian athletes and coaches.
