Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, on Thursday said Nigeria’s sports sector contributed 1.2 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2025 and generated about 140,000 jobs across the value chain, even as he noted that the country’s chances of featuring at the 2026 World Cup now rest on a pending decision by FIFA.

Dikko disclosed this after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on the Commission’s 2025 performance, approvals granted by the President, and projections for 2026.

He described the meeting as a routine engagement, stressing that the Commission reports directly to the President.

“It was a normal visit to brief Mr. President on what we achieved last year, the approvals he graciously granted, the stage of execution, and our plans for 2026. So far, so good. The President is very happy and excited about the progress,” Dikko said.

According to him, the sector recorded major milestones in 2025, including the winning of nearly 375 medals in various international competitions and attracting about N50 billion in private sector investment.

“We are no longer measuring sports by medals alone. We are measuring it by contribution to GDP and job creation.
Last year, we induced almost 140,000 jobs, direct, indirect and induced, across the sporting ecosystem,” he said.

Dikko attributed the gains to the Commission’s “Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy,” aimed at repositioning sports as a sustainable economic growth driver.

He also confirmed that President Tinubu approved the constitution of the board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Agency, following the signing of the long-awaited anti-doping bill.

The development, he said, restored Nigeria’s compliance status with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

“After almost 20 years, the anti-doping bill was signed last year. Now the board has been approved for constitution. Nigeria has been cleared and recognised as a clean country in sports,” he stated.

On Nigeria’s World Cup qualification dispute, Dikko said the matter had been formally escalated to FIFA over alleged breaches during the African play-off final.

Specifically, Nigeria’s national football team were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after losing on penalties to DR Congo in the African play-off final in November 2025.

However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed a protest, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players due to dual citizenship issues under Congolese law.

But as of February 19, 2026, no final verdict has been announced by FIFA.

The NFF has dismissed circulating reports of a decision, maintaining that it has received no official communication from the world football governing body.

Dikko expressed confidence in Nigeria’s case but acknowledged that the outcome now lies with FIFA’s independent judicial bodies.

“World Cup is a closed chapter for us competitively, but the legal matter is pending. The relevant independent bodies within FIFA will decide,” he said.

Nigeria’s hopes of reinstatement hinge on a favourable ruling that could return the country to the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for late March 2026 in Mexico.

DR Congo currently occupies Africa’s slot for that stage, with the winner advancing to the World Cup finals.

Dikko highlighted renewed emphasis on grassroots development, citing the introduction of invited junior athletes as a “38th state” at the National Sports Festival and the creation of intermediate games for Under-18 and Under-20 athletes.

He also disclosed a partnership between the Sports Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education to revive school sports competitions nationwide.

“We have directed all sporting federations that if they are not developing grassroots and domestic competitions, we will not support them for international outings,” he said.

The NSC chairman further revealed that President Tinubu approved measures to fast-track funding releases for sports once the 2026 budget is signed to ensure timely preparation for competitions.

“What the President has done for sports has never been like this before. His decisive approvals and directive that budgeted funds for sports be released promptly will help us plan better and deliver results,” Dikko added