Pres. Tinubu Approves Timely Sports Funding from 2026

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s sports funding framework, directing that funds for sporting activities and infrastructure be released promptly beginning from the 2026 fiscal year.

The President announced the decision via a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, citing years of delayed funding, bureaucratic bottlenecks and poor infrastructure as major obstacles to athletes’ performance.

Tinubu praised Nigerian athletes for their outstanding performances in 2025, revealing that the country won a total of 373 medals across continental and global competitions.

He described sports as one of Nigeria’s strongest national brands, noting its power to unite citizens across ethnic, religious and social divides while fostering national pride.

The President also commended the National Sports Commission, under the leadership of Shehu Dikko, for driving reforms aligned with his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, despite longstanding structural challenges.