President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the timely release of funds for Nigeria’s sports sector beginning from the 2026 fiscal year, declaring an end to years of delayed financing that have affected athletes’ preparation and performance.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, the President said the reform is part of a comprehensive reset of Nigeria’s sports funding framework aimed at eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving infrastructure, and ensuring consistent support for athletes.
Tinubu praised Nigerian athletes for their outstanding achievements in 2025, noting that the country secured a total of 373 medals across continental and global competitions. He commended individual stars in athletics, as well as the country’s female football and basketball teams, and the Super Eagles, whose performance at AFCON 2025, he said, united and inspired Nigerians.
“Sports is one of our strongest brands as a nation. It unifies us, breaks all our fault lines, inspires belief, and builds a sense of community,” the President stated.
Acknowledging long-standing challenges in the sector, Tinubu admitted that delayed funding and poor infrastructure have historically placed Nigerian athletes at a disadvantage.
“For too long, sports funding was slowed by bureaucracy, fragmented across institutions, and when funds are released, they come too late to support proper preparation and participation,” he said.
To address the problem, the President directed the Ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, as well as the Budget Office of the Federation, to ensure that allocations for sports infrastructure, programmes, competitions, and international participation are included annually in the national budget and released immediately after the budget is passed.
“Nigerian athletes deserve certainty, not excuses. All funds so appropriated are to be released promptly — no more delay,” Tinubu declared.
He also revealed plans to consolidate sports funding currently spread across multiple ministries, departments, and agencies into a unified structure under the National Sports Commission, a move aimed at improving efficiency and accountability.
Tinubu said the reforms align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy, which positions sports as a driver of youth development, job creation, tourism, and global influence.
“The future of Nigerian sports will be properly planned, adequately funded, and globally competitive. We will support our athletes early, prepare them thoroughly, and celebrate them proudly,” he added.