Shaibu Raises Alarm Over Nigeria’s 2028 Olympic Readiness

Shaibu Raises Alarm Over Nigeria’s 2028 Olympic Readiness
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has raised alarm over Nigeria’s lack of preparation for the 2028 Olympics, urging the National Sports Commission to establish a clear roadmap for success.

‘We cannot continue to scout players abroad while neglecting grassroots development at home. That is not how to build a sustainable sports system,’ he said, adding that consistent data tracking and performance evaluation of athletes are critical to success.

Shaibu expressed concern about the decline of sports in Nigeria, alleging that individuals who contributed to the deterioration of the system remain in key positions.

‘Sports went down completely in Nigeria, and many of those responsible are still within the system. We must address that if we are serious about rebuilding,’ he stated.

He emphasized that sports development should be driven by passion, discipline, and proper planning rather than financial incentives alone. Reflecting on his playing days, Shaibu noted that athletes of his generation were motivated by passion and commitment.

On the performance of the national team, Shaibu lamented Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, urging stakeholders to prioritize accountability and forward planning.

‘It is not about apologies. We must ask hard questions and begin preparations early. Responsibility lies with those managing the system,’ he noted.

Reaffirming NIS’s commitment to grassroots sports development, Shaibu disclosed that the institute has expanded its operations to all six geopolitical zones to strengthen talent discovery and capacity building.

‘We are ready to partner with organizations like yours to drive grassroots sports development across the country,’ he added.

Earlier, President of the Nigeria Grassroot Sports Forum, FCT, Godwin Bamigboye, identified the lack of grassroots focus as a major challenge confronting Nigerian sports, noting that the system has been operating from the top down rather than building from the base.

‘It is troubling that some professional players emerge without any traceable development history from school coaches to grassroots trainers. These are gaps we must close,’ he said.

Bamigboye commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Shaibu as DG of NIS and for creating the position of Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports, describing both moves as deliberate efforts to address existing gaps in the sector.

He emphasized the critical role of trainers in talent development, stressing that without skilled personnel to identify and nurture athletes, progress would remain limited.

‘We must train the trainers. Once we build capacity at that level, the impact will be felt across the grassroots,’ he said.

Bamigboye further praised Shaibu’s leadership at NIS, particularly the expansion of its programs to the six geopolitical zones, which he described as a strategic step toward deepening grassroots sports development nationwide.

He expressed the forum’s readiness to collaborate with NIS, revealing that the federation has developed a comprehensive blueprint aimed at revitalizing grassroots sports in Nigeria.