Dikko: Nigeria’s Vast Sports Facilities Key to Becoming Africa’s Premier Sporting Hub
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has stated that Nigeria possesses the most extensive network of sports infrastructure in Africa, despite ongoing concerns about the condition of many of its facilities.
Dikko made the remark on the sidelines of the African Union Sports Council Region II meeting held in Abuja, pointing to the country’s widespread distribution of sporting venues as a key advantage in its drive to become a leading sports hub on the continent.
While acknowledging the scale of existing infrastructure, he stressed the urgent need to raise standards through proper maintenance, upgrades, and adherence to global best practices.
He identified the Niger Delta as a strategic cluster for hosting such events, highlighting facilities in Delta State, Edo State, Akwa Ibom State, and Cross River State as capable of jointly staging large-scale tournaments.
Dikko further explained that the Abuja meeting was convened to harmonise sports development strategies among African countries under a unified framework promoted by the African Union. He noted that the forum offers participating nations an opportunity to exchange ideas, compare policies, and adopt best practices.
According to him, several countries have shown keen interest in Nigeria’s ongoing sports reforms, particularly efforts aimed at repositioning the sector as a driver of economic growth and social development.
The NSC chairman also disclosed that assessment teams from the African Union recently concluded a two-day inspection of Nigeria’s preparations for the African Games, expressing satisfaction with the country’s infrastructure and overall potential.
As part of broader efforts to strengthen the sector, Dikko announced that the Federal Government has approved the establishment of a National Sports Infrastructure Development Board, saying ” The proposed body will be tasked with mobilising resources for the rehabilitation and upgrade of sports facilities nationwide, spanning both elite and grassroots development”.
He added that the initiative would be critical to unlocking Nigeria’s capacity to host major sporting events and fully harness the economic and social benefits of sports.
