NIS and NSC Clash Over 200-Bed Hostel Ownership in Abuja

The National Institute for Sports (NIS) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) are currently engaged in a dispute regarding the ownership and control of a 200-bed athletes’ hostel located within the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. The conflict intensified after both agencies issued conflicting quit notices to unauthorized occupants of the facility.

On September 21, Jude Abu, Head of the Department of Works at the NIS, expressed concerns over the ownership during a media tour of the hostel. According to Ben Ogbemudia, Special Assistant on Media to the Director-General of the NIS, Abu asserted that the hostel belongs to the NIS and criticized the NSC for removing an official NIS notice and replacing it with an eviction notice on September 20.

Abu described the NSC's actions as provocative and unlawful, reaffirming that the NIS is an independent government parastatal and not subordinate to the NSC. He urged unauthorized occupants to vacate the premises by December 31, warning of potential legal action if they fail to comply.