NIS DG Seeks Higher Funding to Boost Sports Development

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Director-General of the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Philip Shuaibu, has made a fresh appeal for increased government funding, warning that the institute cannot fulfil its mandate without stronger financial backing.

Shuaibu made the call on Wednesday during his budget defence before the National Assembly in Abuja, stressing that persistent underfunding continues to hinder manpower development, grassroots sports programmes and nationwide visibility.
He said the NIS, Nigeria’s premier sports training and research institute, remains the backbone of national sports development but lacks the resources needed to function optimally.

“Our mandate is to train manpower for the sports ecosystem and promote grassroots sports. We cannot achieve this without adequate government funding,” he said.
“We need a budget that reflects our vision to improve sports in Nigeria.”

Shuaibu also urged the Federal Government to urgently constitute the board of the National Sports Commission, saying a functional board is essential for strategic planning, institutional stability and long-term sports development.

Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Kabiru Amadu, expressed concern over the institute’s poor funding.

He described the NIS as a critical national asset requiring stronger budgetary support and pledged the committee’s commitment to improving resources for the institute.

Established in 1974, the NIS is responsible for producing qualified coaches, sports administrators and technical personnel to drive excellence in Nigerian sports.