As part of efforts to decentralize the operations of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has announced that Enugu State will host the South-East Zonal Centre of the institute.
Shaibu, who disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, at the Government House (Lion Building), Enugu, said the decision followed a comprehensive evaluation of the region’s infrastructure and sports development potential.
“In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we carefully assessed the records and found Enugu most suitable to host the NIS South-East Zonal Centre,” “Everything is already aligning with the President’s vision for national sports revival.”Shaibu said.
The NIS boss , a former Deputy Governor of Edo State ,commended Governor Mbah for his administration’s rapid transformation of Enugu, describing the state as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing capitals.
“Your achievements have attracted tremendous attention to Enugu. You represent a new generation of leaders who inspire confidence and progressive change,” Shaibu added.
Shaibu emphasized that the NIS remains the “engine room” for discovering, training, and nurturing Nigeria’s sporting talents but lamented that the institute had suffered over two decades of neglect.
“President Tinubu has given us a clear mandate to revive sports in Nigeria and restore it to its former glory,” he added.
He explained that the institute would initially require temporary office space and training facilities while plans are finalized for permanent structures and the rollout of advanced training curricula for elite athletes and sports administrators.
In his response, Governor Peter Mbah, who received the NIS delegation alongside Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and Barr. Victor Udeh, Chief of Staff, expressed delight at Enugu’s selection as the zonal hub.
Describing the move as “timely and visionary,” Governor Mbah underscored the importance of sports as a driver of youth engagement, national unity, and economic development.
“If we must create world champions, we must train and nurture athletes deliberately,it won’t happen by accident,”
“Our government is committed to providing the necessary logistics, infrastructure, and institutional support to make the South-East Zonal Centre a model of excellence.”the governor stated.
The NIS delegation, which included top directors and sports development experts, also presented a 10-year strategic plan outlining the objectives and roadmap for the South-East Zonal Training Centre.
Governor Mbah described the plan as “forward-thinking and perfectly aligned with Enugu State’s broader development vision.”
The partnership between the National Institute for Sports and the Enugu State Government is expected to strengthen grassroots sports development across the South-East, producing world-class athletes who will uphold Nigeria’s sporting legacy on the global stage.
During his visit, Comrade Shaibu also paid a courtesy call on Nigerian football legend Emmanuel Okala (MON).
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