By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu
A prominent sports advocacy group has declared that Nigerian sports is undergoing a fundamental transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pointing to billions of naira in new investment, unprecedented athlete rewards, and far-reaching institutional reforms as evidence that the sector has evolved from mere recreation into a driving force for national development.
The Sports Ambassadors International Network for Tinubu (SAINT), a coalition of sports professionals and stakeholders spanning Nigeria and the diaspora, issued the assessment in a statement signed by National Coordinator Qoozeem Oladapo and National Secretary/Legal Adviser Barr. Joel Duku, following a review of documented interventions by the Federal Government and the National Sports Commission (NSC) since May 2023.
At the heart of the transformation, according to SAINT, is the 2024 restoration of the National Sports Commission as the apex body for sports development a structural overhaul designed to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, inject professionalism, and reposition sports as a cornerstone of economic growth and youth empowerment.
The results, the group says, are already visible. Under the reconstituted NSC, a public-private partnership drive reportedly attracted more than ₦50 billion into the sports economy within its first year a figure SAINT describes as a powerful signal of renewed investor confidence in Nigerian sports.
"This is no longer business as usual," the statement read. "Sports is being treated as an economic sector, not an afterthought."
SAINT reserved its strongest praise for the administration's "Athletes First" philosophy, anchored by the revitalised Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board, which has provided direct training grants to elite athletes ahead of major international competitions.
That philosophy has translated into concrete rewards for Nigeria's most successful teams:
Super Falcons: Following their 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations triumph, President Tinubu approved national honours, housing, and cash rewards for every player each receiving the naira equivalent of $100,000 while technical team members received $50,000 each.
D'Tigress: After the women's basketball team captured a historic fifth consecutive FIBA Women's AfroBasket title in 2025, the President approved national honours, housing, and financial rewards. By September 2026, the NSC confirmed the full payment of the presidential cash rewards.
Super Eagles: On December 22, 2025, members of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations runner-up squad received documents for their promised houses and land allocations, alongside national honours. A special budget was also approved for the team's AFCON 2025 campaign, with funds processed and disbursed through the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Accountant-General's Office, and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
"Together, these actions demonstrate the government's recognition of sporting excellence and its commitment to consistent institutional support, athlete welfare, and timely funding," SAINT said.
The group also highlighted a deliberate push to secure the future of Nigerian sports through grassroots investment.
The introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) category at the National Sports Festival has brought promising young talents into the national competitive environment, offering exposure, experience, and a pathway to elite competition. The Federal Government's substantial backing of the 2025 National Sports Festival (Gateway Games) in Ogun State which President Tinubu described as a platform for national integration, youth development, and sporting excellence further underscored this commitment.
SAINT also commended ongoing collaboration between the NSC and the education sector to revitalise school sports from primary through tertiary levels, rebuilding the pipeline from playground to podium.
The administration's support for women's sports drew particular recognition, with SAINT noting that female athletes and teams have received prominent recognition and rewards a development the group called "a statement of intent about the value Nigeria places on its sportswomen."
On the integrity front, SAINT lauded the signing of the National Anti-Doping Act in 2025, which establishes the framework for Nigeria's National Anti-Doping Organisation and aligns the country with international standards a move the group says protects athletes and promotes clean competition.
President Tinubu's public backing of Team Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where 88 Nigerian athletes competed across 12 sports, and his congratulation of D'Tigress for becoming the first African basketball team to reach an Olympic quarter-final.
The NSC's Renewed Hope for Nigeria's Sports Economy (RHINSE) initiative, designed to position Nigeria as a premier destination for international sporting events.
Governance reforms introducing Chief Operating Officer structures in national federations to strengthen accountability and professional management.
President Tinubu's August 2026 directive for a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football, covering governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions, and accountability.
Presidential approval of first-line-charge funding for sports in 2026, providing more predictable financing for programmes and competitions.
In its formal position, SAINT said it "acknowledges these documented interventions as part of the administration's efforts to reposition Nigerian sports," singling out the emphasis on athlete welfare, institutional reform, grassroots development, clean sports, women in sports, sports investment, infrastructure, and national competitions.
The group vowed to continue highlighting documented developments in the sector and to give due recognition to athletes, coaches, administrators, federations, sports journalists, supporters, and other stakeholders contributing to the growth of Nigeria's sports ecosystem.
"Sports serve not only as entertainment and competition, but also as a vehicle for youth empowerment, employment, national unity, international diplomacy, talent development, and economic growth," SAINT said.
The Sports Ambassadors International Network for Tinubu (SAINT) is a network of sports professionals and stakeholders within Nigeria and the diaspora, committed to documenting and promoting developments in Nigerian sports.
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