NSC, NFF, NIS Present 2026 Budget As National Assembly Applaud 92% Increase In Allocation

NSC, NFF, NIS Present 2026 Budget As National Assembly Applaud 92% Increase In Allocation 

By Niyi Busari 

The House of Representatives Committee on Sports on Wednesday convened a budget defence session with key agencies under its oversight, including the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the National Institute of Sports (NIS), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The session, chaired by Hon. Kabiru Amadu focused on reviewing the agencies’ 2025 budget performance and examining their proposed allocations for the 2026 fiscal year.

The Committee commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the proposed 92 per cent increase in the 2026 sports budget, which rises to N203 billion from N105 billion in 2025. Lawmakers described the increase as a significant step toward revitalising the country’s sports sector.

During the session, the NSC, led by Chairman Malam Shehu Dikko; the NFF, under President Ibrahim Gusau; and the NIS, headed by Director General Philip Shuaibu, presented detailed accounts of their 2025 expenditures and outlined strategic priorities for 2026.

Key focus areas in the proposed 2026 budgets include the upgrading of sports facilities nationwide, expansion of youth development programmes, promotion of grassroots sports initiatives, enhancement of training programmes for coaches and athletes, and the creation of a sustainable sports economy.

The Committee noted that long-standing challenges in the sector must be addressed decisively. These include the deterioration of sports infrastructure—particularly national stadia—recurring disputes over unpaid bonuses and allowances for athletes and officials, inadequate funding for more than 40 sports federations, the absence of sustainable development frameworks, and shortages of trained personnel.

Lawmakers also highlighted what they described as a turning point for Nigerian sports in 2025, citing several achievements. Among them were a record 373 medals won by Nigerian athletes in international competitions—the highest haul in the country’s history—the repositioning of the National Institute of Sports, and the restoration of full compliance with international anti-doping standards.

The budget defence session lasted approximately six hours and featured active participation from members of the Committee, who engaged agency heads on performance benchmarks, accountability measures, and implementation strategies for the coming year.