Budget Defence: HoR C’ttee commends Tinubu over increase of NSC budget
…urges commission of judicious utilization
By Tom Okpe
Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Rep Kabiru Amadu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for significantly, increasing the 2025 budget for the sports sector, from ₦29 billion in 2024 to over ₦94 billion in 2025.
Amadu made this remark during the budget defense session of the National Sports Commission, NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and the National Institute for Sports, NIS, before the Committee at the National Assembly Abuja, urging the Commission of judicious use.
He also, described the budget increase as a turning point for sports in Nigeria.
He said: “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has tripled the sports budget from ₦29,082,369,979 in 2024 to ₦94,947,006,325 in 2025. This represents a 227% increase in the expenditure framework.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hereby commended for this giant stride in budgetary allocation to the sports sector. We hope this increment will mark a significant turning point in the development, administration, and management of sports activities in Nigeria.”
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The lawmaker, who represents Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, expressed optimism that the increased budget allocation would address several challenges in the sports sector, noting that: “These include the decay of sports infrastructure, particularly, the national stadiums, insufficient funding for over 40 sports federations, lack of sustainable development plans, and inadequate manpower and training.”
He further pledged the Committee’s support for the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation, and the National Institute for Sports to ensure, timely release and effective utilization of the allocated funds.
“The House Committee also, assured the NSC, NFF, and NIS of total support to facilitate release of funds from the Federal Government. This support will drive sports development, particularly at the grassroots level.”
The Chairman further emphasized that the Committee would perform its legislative oversight functions diligently to ensure that funds allocated are utilized effectively after the budget is passed into law.
In his presentation, Chairman, National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, highlighted key projects, the commission plans to implement. These include upgrading the Abuja National Stadium and other stadium, nationwide, revealing that there are plans to rebrand and commercialize 200 hostels within the Nigerian Football Federation Building, NFFB.
“There are plans to rebrand and commercialize 200 hostels within the Nigerian Football Federation building, a move expected to contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
“Additionally, the Commission intends to construct 100 mini-stadiums across the country as part of efforts to boost sports development at the community level,” he added.
