NSC to partner NAPHER.SD to address competency gaps in sports

By Tosin Omojola

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, welcomed officials from the National Association of Physical, Health Education, Research, Sports, and Dance (NAPHER.SD) to his office on Tuesday, pledging to collaborate with the organization to address competency and professional gaps in Nigeria’s sports sector.

“NAPHER.SD holds an essential and strategic role in Nigerian sports,” Dikko said. “We are grateful for your contributions to the NSC Bill and have received your recent recommendations. It is crucial that we bring in true professionals to manage various departments within the Commission, and we look forward to working with you as strategic partners.”

Dikko emphasized the vast potential of the sports sector, highlighting the industries it can foster across different regions. “Sports play a key role in social cohesion, security, and human development. A measure of our success will be sports’ contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. Within the next two years, we envision sports as a fundamental industry in Nigeria’s economy.”

Earlier, NAPHER.SD President, Professor Florence Adeyanju, outlined areas where the association can support the NSC, including organizing grassroots outreach programs and competitions, talent identification and development, policy development and advisory, research and evaluation, women’s sports empowerment, and providing professionals to manage sports departments and units.

“We urge you to ensure that professionally trained personnel are appointed to relevant departments, enhance training for sports officers and technical staff, focus on grassroots sports development, promote synergy between the NSC and the Ministry of Education, involve research experts in establishing skill and fitness standards, prioritize athletes’ welfare, and actively pursue sponsorships from corporate organizations,” Adeyanju stated.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (NAPHER.SD Vice President), Prof. Franz Atare (Secretary General), Dr. Paul Onyeudo (NSC), Dr. Joy Madaki (NAPHER.SD Treasurer), as well as Mallam Salihu Abubakar, Barr. Musa Amadu, Hon. Farouk Yarma, Mr. Clement Nwankpa, Mr. Jude Anyadufu, and other NAPHER.SD leaders, including Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman, Dr. Robinson Okosun, Dr. Sylvester Ikuejamoye, Dr. Oluwasogo Ogunleye, Mr. Bola Orodele, Mrs. Sheba Jefferson, and Mrs. Hulda Nkwocha.