Nigeria's Para Sports Federations Get New Boards As NSC Advances Reform Agenda

Nigeria's Para Sports Federations Get New Boards As NSC Advances Reform Agenda

By Niyi Busari 

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has conducted elections and inaugurated new governing boards for Nigeria's Para Sports Federations, charging the newly elected officials to drive inclusive sports development in line with the Commission's Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE) agenda, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The elections, which stakeholders described as free, fair and credible, produced new leadership across several federations, including Amputee Football, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, Para Soccer, Para Swimming, Para Volleyball and Para Badminton.

In the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation, former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Opukiri Michael Jones-Ere, was elected President, while Joshua Dauda Bungon emerged as Vice President.

Etti Rafiu Olawale was elected President of the Nigeria Para Athletics Federation, with Mohammed Musa Nafiu emerging as Vice President.

For the Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation, delegates unanimously elected sports philanthropist Kingsley James Awodi as President, while Chief Akutekwe Patrick (MON) was elected Vice President.

In the Nigeria Para Soccer Federation, Alhaji Kaka Mallam emerged President, with Sherifat Bola Araoye elected Vice President.

Adeyemi Adeshina Adeola was elected President of the Nigeria Para Swimming Federation, while Dr. Ahmed Alao became Vice President. In the Nigeria Para Volleyball Federation, Muhammed Abbah Isa was elected President, with Hon. Jim Okolo serving as Vice President.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, described sports federations as the foundation of Nigeria's sports development and urged the new boards to focus on building enduring institutions and delivering measurable progress.

"What we have successfully done today is to provide you with the platform to contribute your quota towards building a sustainable sports economy, particularly within the Nigerian Para Sports community," Dikko said.

He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration remains committed to transforming the nation's sports sector, stressing that Para Sports occupies a strategic position in the government's broader sports development agenda.

"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very intentional about the ongoing transformation of Nigerian sports, and Para Sports is a critical component of that vision," he stated.

The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the newly elected executives, expressing confidence in their capacity to strengthen the country's Para Sports ecosystem.

According to Olopade, the calibre of leaders elected reflects the growing appeal of Nigerian sports to professionals and stakeholders capable of advancing the Commission's ongoing reform agenda.

"Para Sports remains central to the objectives of the National Sports Commission. We will continue to prioritise its development, and we are confident that the new boards possess the competence and commitment required to take special sports in Nigeria to greater heights," he said.

The inauguration marks another milestone in the Commission's efforts to reposition sports administration and deepen institutional reforms aimed at enhancing the growth and sustainability of Para Sports across Nigeria.