NIS Neglected For Decades: Shaibu Demands Investigation Into Former Sports Ministers

The Director-General of the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Phillip Shaibu, has accused the Federal Government of systematically sidelining the institute from national sports funding, despite what he described as record-high allocations to the sector under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Shaibu made the remarks on Monday, January 5, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, highlighting that although the overall sports budget has increased significantly, the NIS has consistently been excluded.

“Sports funding has seen one of the highest allocations in this administration. The last budget was the largest the sports sector has ever received, yet NIS was not included, and this has been the case for decades,” he stated.

He attributed the institute’s persistent exclusion to deliberate neglect by past Ministers of Sports and a flawed budgeting framework that prioritizes consumption over development. Shaibu called on the National Assembly to summon former ministers to account for their role in what he described as the systematic undermining of the NIS.

“I believe all former Ministers of Sports should be called to explain their role in the destruction of NIS. It was deliberate because the budgeting system encourages consumption rather than investment in infrastructure or maintenance,” Shaibu said.

The NIS chief further criticized the structure of Nigeria’s sports administration, labeling it fundamentally unsustainable. He stressed that the government’s role should focus on infrastructure development rather than the day-to-day management of sporting activities.

“From a simple economic perspective, the government shouldn’t run businesses but should create enabling environments. In sports, the government’s role is not to manage daily operations but to develop infrastructure that the private sector can leverage,” he explained.

Recalling his experience since taking office five months ago, Shaibu revealed that the NIS, which has existed for over five decades, lacked a clear development plan.

“When I assumed office, I met an institution with no strategic plan, so we had to create a roadmap. Funding remains a major challenge, which is why we engaged the private sector,” he said.

Shaibu added that years of poor performance in Nigerian sports had discouraged private sector investment, but the institute’s renewed efforts have begun to attract support.

“People are tired of merely praying and fasting for sports victories, so many private sector players are now interested in making NIS work,” he noted.

Reviving Programs Despite a Lean Budget

Despite inheriting a lean budget, Shaibu said the institute has been able to revive key programs through innovation and public-private partnerships.

“I inherited a very lean budget, which forced us to think outside the box. Even with limited resources, we’ve been able to kick-start our programs,” he stated.

He revealed that the Abuja office of the institute, inactive for decades, has been revitalized without direct government funding.

“We brought the Abuja office back to life with no budget. We successfully organized our first three-month coaching program in over 30 years, graduating students on December 18. The office is now fully functional and renovated to high standards,” he said.

Shaibu warned that Nigeria’s sports development will remain unstable unless the NIS is properly funded and fully operational. He emphasized the institute’s central role in producing athletes, coaches, and referees vital for sustaining the nation’s sports ecosystem.

“NIS is the critical sector that produces players, coaches, and referees. It is the engine room of Nigerian sports. If it’s not functioning, don’t expect meaningful progress in the country’s sports development,” the former Edo State Deputy Governor concluded.

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