National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, met on Friday to map out strategies for advancing youth involvement in sports. The meeting underscores the shared resolve to leverage sports to create value, combat youth restiveness, and foster economic growth in Nigeria.
According to Minister Olawande, the discussions centered on ways to “advance youth interest in the sport sector,” reflecting the government’s commitment to meaningfully engaging young Nigerians. The NSC envisions using sports to create sustainable job opportunities, keep youth off the streets, and offer them a clear pathway to success.
Mallam Dikko emphasized the energy and potential of young Nigerians, stating, “If you don’t deploy that energy effectively, they will use it negatively.” Reflecting on past initiatives, he noted how NPFL’s Friday night games significantly reduced weekend crime rates.
The meeting also extended to education, with the Honourable Minister of Education joining discussions via phone. Both parties stressed the importance of reviving school sports and NUGA (National University Games Association) to integrate education with sports, ensuring a balanced and sustainable development model for Nigerian youth.
Dikko expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting that the synergy between the NSC, Ministry of Youth Development, and Ministry of Education is essential to the success of the Commission’s goals. He concluded, “Engaging youths in sports should go hand-in-hand with their education. This is the sustainable path forward.”
