ABU lauds NSC for transforming Nigeria’s sports sector

By Ado Salisu
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has commended the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, for his leadership in the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s sports sector.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit by an ABU delegation to the NSC headquarters at the weekend.
Prof. Ahmed described Dikko, a distinguished alumnus of the university, as a source of pride to the institution, saying his appointment to head the country’s sports regulatory agency reflected the quality of ABU graduates.
He said the university fully identified with Dikko’s vision of repositioning sports from being viewed mainly as recreation and competition to becoming a vibrant and sustainable sector of the economy.
According to him, the university is encouraged by the progress recorded by the commission under Dikko’s leadership, citing his courage, clarity of purpose and commitment to national service.
“For over two decades, we have watched you provide visionary leadership across different segments of the sports industry, influencing reforms in governance, administration, infrastructure and sports business.
“Your journey continues to inspire our students and demonstrates what an ABU graduate can achieve through competence, integrity and dedication to national service,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that ABU had remained one of Nigeria’s leading contributors to sports development for more than four decades, producing not only outstanding athletes but also administrators who had shaped sports governance in the country.
He said the university’s emergence as one of the six sports centres of excellence and its hosting rights for the 2028 Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) were both institutional achievements and national responsibilities.
Ahmed assured the commission of ABU’s readiness to partner with the NSC in advancing sports development, adding that the future of Nigerian sports would depend not only on producing champions but also professionals in sports administration, governance and business.
Responding, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the university for the visit and pledged closer collaboration to promote sports development in the country.
He said the commission would work with ABU to further develop the sports industry and maximise its economic potential.
Members of the delegation included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Advancement, Research and Innovation), Prof. Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi; the Registrar, Rabiu Samaila; the Director, Directorate of Advancement and International Education (DAIE), Prof. M. I. Umar-Buratai; the Director of Sports, Dr. Suleiman Usman Omeiza; the Director of Public Affairs, Auwalu Umar; and the University’s Liaison Officer in Abuja, Malam Haruna Ajo.