The House of Representatives Committee on Sports has increased the 2026 budget proposal for the National Institute of Sports (NIS) from ₦2.8 billion to about ₦60 billion, citing the need to reposition the institute as a central driver of sports development in Nigeria.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu, announced the upward review on Wednesday, explaining that the decision was reached in collaboration with the institute’s management and the leadership of the Budget Office of the Federation. He commended the NIS leadership for introducing reforms that have begun to yield tangible results.
Ahmadu specifically praised NIS Director-General Philip Shuaibu for expanding the institute’s operations and achieving significant progress despite the non-release of capital funds for 2025. He stressed that enhanced funding is critical for the NIS to fulfill its statutory mandate of training coaches, sports administrators, and technical personnel nationwide.
Shuaibu, a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, linked Nigeria’s underperformance in sports to the long-standing dysfunction of the institute. He revealed that 52 years after its establishment, the NIS lacked a clear strategic direction until his administration introduced a 10-year development plan for sustainable growth. He also noted ongoing efforts to revive the Athletes Development Centre, which was in a deplorable state upon his assumption of office.
“The non-functionality of the institute made it impossible to properly develop our athletes. That is why we are seeing children born outside the country increasingly representing Nigeria at international competitions,” Shuaibu said. He urged the Federal Government to prioritize the institute, highlighting that adequate funding is essential for grassroots sports development, manpower training, and improved performance at both local and international competitions.
The NIS Director-General also called for the speedy constitution of the National Sports Commission board, emphasizing that proper governance would provide strategic direction and institutional stability for long-term sports development in Nigeria.
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