President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received applause from the House of Representatives Committee on Sports for the unprecedented budget allocation for sports in the 2025 budget proposals. The allocation, which is over ₦94 billion, represents a 227% increase from the previous year’s budget of ₦29 billion.
Honourable Kabiru Amadu, Chairman of the Committee, praised President Tinubu for his vision and commitment to sports development in Nigeria. He noted that the increased funding will address long-standing issues in the sports sector, including deteriorating infrastructure, lack of funds for sports federations, and inadequate manpower.
The budget proposals include funds for the renovation of the MKO Abiola Stadium, completion of a three-star athletes’ hotel, and the construction of a high-performance center and an Anti-doping Laboratory. The laboratory is expected to generate significant revenue for the country.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, expressed his gratitude to the President and the Committee for their support. He noted that the budget is guided by the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), which aims to reset, refocus, and relaunch the sports sector.
The Committee assured the NSC of their support and oversight to ensure the successful implementation of the budget. A similar reception was received at the Senate Sports Committee, where the NSC defended its budget proposals.
