Shaibu Advocates for Grassroots Sports Reform in Nigeria

Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, hosted Godwin Bamigboy, the President of the Nigeria Grassroot Sport Forum, and Mr. Adeyinka Adeboy, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroot Sport Development, at the National Institute for Sports in Abuja.

During the meeting, Shaibu stressed the importance of reforming Nigeria's sports system, particularly the need to return to grassroots development and enforce discipline at all levels. He recounted his personal experiences in football, highlighting the significance of youth competitions in providing Nigerian players with early exposure to international tournaments.

Shaibu pointed out the failure of Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup and urged stakeholders to focus on accountability and forward planning. Bamigboy identified the lack of grassroots focus as a major challenge facing Nigerian sports and praised Shaibu's leadership in expanding programs across six geopolitical zones.

Adeboy emphasized the urgent need for strategic collaboration to strengthen grassroots sports across Nigeria.