DHQ, NIS Team Up to Revive Nigerian Sports
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has expressed readiness to collaborate with the National Institute for Sports (NIS) to revive and promote sports development across Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of NIS, Mr. Phillip Shaibu, to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, July 2, 2025.
A statement signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director, Defence Information today in Abuja said General Musa underscored the strategic importance of sports in enhancing physical health, fostering national unity, and curbing youth restiveness, noting that the decline in Nigeria’s sports performance has broader implications for the nation’s social and economic growth.
“The role of sports in youth engagement and national development cannot be overemphasized. Its decline contributes to insecurity and missed opportunities to empower the youth positively,” the CDS said.
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He commended the initiative by the NIS and called for renewed efforts to restore the image and standards of sports in the country through capacity building, grassroots development, and institutional support.
In his remarks, Mr. Phillip Shaibu, DG/CEO of the National Institute for Sports, said the visit was part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness, identify key stakeholders, and forge strategic partnerships for the rebirth of Nigerian sports.
He revealed that the visit aligns with Presidential directives to reactivate sports across the country and emphasized the Institute’s interest in collaborating with the military, particularly in training, coaching development, and physical education programs.
“Sports can compete with any major sector in driving national growth. Our engagement with the Defence Headquarters is aimed at creating a synergy that benefits both national security and sporting excellence,” Shaibu stated.
The partnership is expected to lead to structured programs that tap into the discipline, infrastructure, and talent pool of the Armed Forces, while advancing national goals in sports and youth development.
By PRNigeria
