NIS, EFFA Partner to Drive Renewed Hope Sports Economy

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The National Institute for Sports (NIS) has reaffirmed its commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a strategic move aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s sports economy through private sector collaboration.

This commitment was restated by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NIS, Comrade Philip Shaibu, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Institute and EFFA Management Limited at the NIS Building, Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Comrade Shaibu emphasized that achieving sustainable growth in the sports sector requires strong private sector participation, particularly in light of limited government funding.

“In line with the mandate given to us by Mr President, we must breathe life into the Renewed Hope Agenda and wake up NIS to its core responsibility,” he said.

“Government funding is at its lowest point, so bringing in the private sector is no longer optional—it is essential.

Through partnerships in facility upgrades, maintenance, curriculum development and other key areas, we can not only drive the Renewed Hope Agenda but also sustain it.”

Comrade Shaibu noted that NIS has continued engagements with several agencies and private partners to reposition the Institute as a catalyst for sports-driven economic growth.

On his part, Director of EFFA Management Limited, Olumide Fakeyeye, commended President Tinubu for his administration’s renewed focus on sports development, describing it as the inspiration behind EFFA’s partnership with NIS.

“Talent is not Nigeria’s problem. Nigerians excel everywhere in the world because the foundation is here,” Fakeyeye said.

“What we lack is the right environment for athletes to grow, develop the right mindset, and be surrounded by winning systems. Nigeria is a sports superpower—we just haven’t fully realized it yet.”

He expressed confidence that the partnership would deliver long-term value, adding that results, not promises, would define its success.

Also speaking, Principal Consultant to NIS, Dr. Remu Majiroh, explained that the partnership goes beyond sports performance, highlighting its potential impact on youth employment and economic inclusion.

“Sports should be one of Nigeria’s biggest employers,” Dr. Majiroh stated.

“Our analysis shows that sports can directly and indirectly employ between 15 and 20 million Nigerians through athletes, administrators, facility managers, merchandise vendors, media, hospitality, and the entire value chain.”

He stressed that with Nigeria’s 36 sports across the 36 states and the FCT, meaningful private sector investment remains the key driver to unlocking the sector’s vast economic potential.

The MoU between NIS and EFFA Management Limited marks a significant step toward repositioning sports as a viable economic pillar, aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda’s vision for sustainable national development.