By David Okoh
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for proposing ₦203.6 billion for the sports sector in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, describing it as a strong demonstration of the administration’s commitment to national development through sports.
According to the Gusau/Tsafe Federal constituency representative, the proposed allocation represents a 92.6 percent increase from the ₦105.7 billion approved for the sector in the 2025 Appropriation Act. He said the significant increment underscores the Federal Government’s recognition of sports as a vital instrument for youth empowerment, national unity and international representation.
Amadu also lauded President Tinubu’s approval of first-line charge funding for the sports sector, a move expected to guarantee the prompt release of funds immediately after the passage of the budget. He noted that early funding would allow sporting bodies to prepare adequately for competitions and eliminate the recurring challenges of delayed financing.
The Committee Chairman expressed optimism that the increased allocation would address long-standing issues in the sector, including deteriorating sports infrastructure — particularly the National Stadia — unpaid bonuses to athletes and officials, inadequate funding for over 40 sports federations, and the absence of sustainable development frameworks and skilled manpower.
Reflecting on recent progress, Amadu described 2025 as a turning point for Nigerian sports. He highlighted the unprecedented achievement of 373 medals won by Nigerian athletes across international competitions — the highest tally in the country’s history.
He also pointed to reforms that repositioned the National Institute of Sports, restored full anti-doping compliance and strengthened the integrity of Nigeria’s sporting system. Other milestones included the revitalisation of school sports to enhance grassroots talent discovery and the introduction of direct grants to athletes to support training and preparation.
“These milestones have restored hope, confidence and pride in our sports sector,” Amadu stated.
The Committee Chairman reaffirmed the constitutional oversight responsibilities of the House Committee on Sports, noting that the agencies under its supervision had been invited to account for the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act ahead of consideration of the 2026 budget proposals.
He explained that the budget defence exercise aligns with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the National Assembly to conduct investigations and ensure accountability in the management of public funds.
Amadu assured stakeholders that the committee would intensify its oversight functions to guarantee transparency, accountability and value for money in the utilisation of the proposed 2026 allocation.
“As we consider the 2026 Appropriation Bill, we remain committed to ensuring that these increased resources are effectively utilised to develop infrastructure, support athletes and sustain grassroots sports development,” he said.
He added that the committee would pursue constructive engagement with all relevant agencies to ensure that every kobo allocated to the sector translates into measurable impact for Nigerian sports and the nation at large.
