The Minister of Art, Culture and Tourism, Hannatu Musawa, has commended the appointment of Comrade Philip Shaibu as Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), describing him as the right person to lead the Institute at a time of growing opportunities in Nigeria’s sports and creative economies.
The Minister made the remarks during an engagement involving the NIS, Bodyline Fitness and the Ministry ahead of the forthcoming LIFEFIT programme, where she expressed confidence in the direction of the Institute under the leadership of Shaibu.
According to her, President Bola Tinubu made the right decision in appointing Shaibu to lead the NIS, noting that his understanding of the transformative power of sports and his approach to repositioning the Institute make him well suited for the responsibility.
“I don’t think the President made a mistake in your appointment,” she told the NIS DG, stressing that the Institute was fortunate to have a leader who understands the wider potential of sports beyond competition.
The Minister highlighted the importance of the creative economy and sports economy as two sectors with significant capacity to create opportunities and bring about the kind of change needed by young Nigerians.
The Minister also stressed the importance of developing good teachers and coaches, noting that the right message can only be effectively passed to young people when those responsible for training and mentoring them are properly equipped.
She expressed optimism that Nigeria’s sports sector would witness significant transformation in the coming years under the leadership of Shaibu, given the direction and initiatives being pursued at the NIS. “In the next few years, Nigeria’s sports is going to completely change…” she said, expressing the Ministry’s readiness to work closely with the NIS to achieve the desired transformation.
In his response, the NIS DG, Shaibu, reiterated the need for stronger private-sector participation and funding in the development of sports, stressing that government must focus on creating the right enabling environment for private investors and organisations to contribute meaningfully to the sector.
He emphasised that sustainable sports development cannot rely solely on government funding, adding that strategic partnerships with private organisations could unlock new opportunities for athletes, coaches, sports institutions and young Nigerians.
The engagement further highlighted the complementary relationship between the sports and creative sectors and the opportunities that exist for both sectors to work together in driving youth development and economic growth.
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The Minister assured the NIS of the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate and engage the private sector in supporting initiatives capable of creating meaningful opportunities for young Nigerians.
She noted that the Ministry was “more than willing to work together” with the NIS and reach out to private-sector organisations that are interested in becoming part of the initiative.
The partnership ahead of LIFEFIT therefore represents another step towards strengthening collaboration among government institutions and private-sector stakeholders, while promoting sports, fitness, creativity and youth empowerment as important drivers of national development.
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