Shaibu Advocates Public-Private Partnership for Sports

Philip Shaibu, the Director General of the National Institute for Sports, urged for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to revive Nigeria's sports industry, which he identified as a major driver of economic growth and employment. Speaking at the Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association workshop in Abuja, Shaibu stressed that partnerships between government institutions and private organizations are critical to unlocking the vast economic potential of sports.

He noted that sports should not be viewed merely as recreation but as a strategic economic sector capable of creating jobs and contributing significantly to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Shaibu highlighted the need for a mindset change to encourage private sector investment in sports infrastructure and athlete support programs.

He also mentioned the National Institute for Sports' plans to expand its presence across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones and all 36 states by the end of next year, reinforcing the institute's role in transforming the sports ecosystem through quality education and talent development.