Senate Approves N60bn Budget Boost For Sports Institute

The Nigerian Senate has approved a major upward review of the 2026 budget proposal for the National Institute of Sports (NIS), increasing it from ₦2.8 billion to about ₦60 billion to strengthen sports development, training and infrastructure nationwide.

The approval was granted through the Senate Committee on Sports following a budget defence session with the management of the institute.

Presenting the proposal on Thursday, the Director-General of the institute, Philip Shaibu, said the revised budget would position the institute to upgrade its facilities, enhance athlete preparation and meet international competition standards.

He said the institute is targeting improved technical training programmes, modern sporting infrastructure and structured preparation for global sporting events.

Shaibu also appealed to lawmakers to support the institute’s expanded mandate, particularly in the area of grassroots development. According to him, part of the plan is to train community-level coaches in modern sports techniques and knowledge to deepen talent discovery and development across the country.

Responding, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi, assured that the committee would push for stronger institutional backing for the sports sector, including governance reforms.

He stressed the need to urgently revive the board of the National Sports Commission, noting that the commission should not be run as a one-man structure.

Ningi said the committee expects a properly constituted board to be put in place before the end of the year to ensure accountability, efficiency and policy direction in sports administration.