Rewards for Athletes: A Strategic Move for Nigeria’s Sports Growth- Dikko

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has affirmed that the Federal Government’s recent rewards to Nigerian athletes are a deliberate strategy to secure the future of sports in the country.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Nest Resource Centre in Abuja, where he was Guest of Honour at an event organized by the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Dayo Israel, Dikko said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s gesture goes beyond mere celebration of victories.

“The rewards are not just symbolic — they show genuine commitment from the government to recognize excellence and invest in the future of Nigerian sports. When athletes know their efforts are valued, they push harder, and that builds a culture of success,” he explained.

According to him, the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s broader vision of using sports as a tool to curb crime, unemployment, and restiveness among Nigerian youths while promoting discipline and national unity.

Dikko stressed that the era of neglecting athletes is over, noting that President Tinubu is determined to make sports a pillar of youth empowerment and national pride.

“Every Nigerian athlete now understands that if you do the right thing, your country will stand behind you. What the President is doing is not just about rewarding the present — it is laying a solid foundation for the future of Nigerian sports,” he said.

He revealed that the government is already working on a National Sports Development Framework, a structured system designed to guide athletes, coaches, and stakeholders under the Renewed Hope initiative.

“We are building a culture that values principle, discipline, and performance. This is not only about medals — it’s about giving every Nigerian athlete a fair chance at greatness. Truly, this is just the beginning,” Dikko concluded.