President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a comprehensive reset of sports funding in Nigeria, effective from the 2026 fiscal year.
The President said Nigerian athletes made the nation proud in 2025, winning a record 373 medals across multiple sports disciplines.
He noted that individual athletes, female football and basketball teams, and the Super Eagles inspired national unity despite AFCON 2025 bronze.
President Tinubu described sports as one of Nigeria’s strongest national brands that unifies citizens across ethnicity, religion, and social status.
He said sustained success proves that Nigerian talent delivers results when supported with proper structure, planning, and preparation.
Accordingly, the President directed the Ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and the Budget Office to reset sports funding.
He ordered adequate annual budgetary provisions for sports infrastructure, maintenance, programmes, events, and international competitions from 2026.
President Tinubu also mandated immediate release of all appropriated sports funds once the national budget is passed and assented to.
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He stressed that Nigerian athletes deserve certainty and planning, not excuses or delayed funding.
The President further approved a review of sports-related allocations currently spread across multiple MDAs.
He said the funds would be streamlined into a unified framework under the National Sports Commission to improve efficiency.
Savings from the restructuring will support domestic sports development and international participation.
The reforms are anchored on the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy, known as RHINSE.
President Tinubu said sports must be managed and funded as a strategic national asset.
He assured Nigerians that the future of sports would be planned, properly funded, and globally competitive.
