In a major strategic bid to transition Nigeria’s sports sector from a social service to a high-yield economic power, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled plans to mobilize a ₦1 trillion sports infrastructure development fund.
The Chairman of the Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, disclosed the ambitious blueprint during a consultative meeting in Abuja with leadership representatives from four major Federal Government-owned media organizations.
According to Dikko, the primary objective of the multi-billion naira initiative is to accelerate facility rehabilitation across the country, attract sustained private-sector participation, and unlock the commercial value of public sports assets.
Dikko revealed that the NSC has already secured presidential approval to establish a specialized Sports Infrastructure Development Bond. The initial phase aims to raise over ₦1 trillion through the Nigerian capital market to finance structural upgrades, including the complete modernization and maintenance overhaul of major venues such as the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The commission projects that this massive capital injection into sports infrastructure will create upwards of two million direct and indirect jobs across engineering, facilities management, tourism, and talent development pipelines.
The ₦1 trillion fund aligns directly with the Federal Government's ongoing initiative to reclassify sports from mere recreation into a core economic driver.
Under the proposed model, renovated facilities will be commercially managed through public-private partnerships (PPP), enabling stadiums to host international competitions, entertainment events, and commercial ventures that yield continuous revenue for sports maintenance and athlete welfare.
Calling for sustained cooperation with government and private media houses, Dikko urged state and independent media outfits to actively communicate the commission's long-term vision to potential investors and the general public.
He reaffirmed the NSC's commitment to working alongside state governments, national sports federations, and international bodies to establish a bankable framework that guarantees returns for private investors while securing Nigeria's position as an African sports powerhouse.