NSC seeks private-sector support for sustainable sports development

Targets ‘fast-growing’ eSports market

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has reiterated its commitment to building a sustainable sports economy, which will also include tapping into the fast-growing eSports industry.

Speaking while receiving two private sector-driven presentations on funding and development strategies for Nigerian sports, the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Bukola Olopade, expressed optimism about leveraging these innovative approaches to achieve the commission’s mandate of creating a robust and sustainable sports ecosystem.

The NSC leadership said this development underscores the commission’s readiness to embrace cutting-edge solutions, including the integration of eSports, as a critical component of Nigeria’s sports and economic future.

Dikko expressed the NSC’s commitment to exploring new approaches and modern funding models for inclusive sports development, noting that the commission is committed to achieving President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a vibrant sports economy in Nigeria.

Earlier, the Co-founder and Head of Partnerships at Game Africa, Damilola Pedro, highlighted the multi-billion-dollar potential of sports to revolutionise Nigeria’s sports economy, stressing the opportunities for youth empowerment through video gaming.

Pedro said: “Our presentation focuses on the untapped opportunities in eSports to empower Nigerian youths using video games. Nigeria has a viable pathway to unlock the next billions in gaming revenue.”

Also speaking, the MD/CEO of CashToken Rewards Africa, Osi-Apagun Lai Labode, unveiled the Nigeria National Public-Private Universal Sports and Social Security System (NINPPUSSS), a funding model designed to  revolutionise sports development in Nigeria through a “Chancified National Contribution.”

He said: “Our model, developed after years of research, shows how we can generate billions of naira yearly for sports,” Labode stated. “With the visionary leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, we believe this is achievable.”

The NINPPUSSS initiative, he said, aims to generate approximately N1 trillion yearly. These funds are designed to be directed towards promoting grassroots sports development and supporting athletes, he added.