-Appoints Shehu Dikko as DG
– Demotes Sen. John Owan to Trade and Investment
By Asuelimen Osasuyi
President Bola Tinubu and Federal Executive Council have scrapped the Ministry of Sports Development to pave way for the return of National Sports Commission which will now oversee sports development in the country.
According to Onanuga, Shehu Dikko, former League Management Company, LMC, chairman has been appointed as Director General of the National Sports Commission, while Sen. John Owan Enoh the Minister of Sports Development demoted and will now serve as Minister of State, Trade and Investment.
Special Adviser to the president on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a post on his official X handle on Wednesday.
He said the decisions were taken at the meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, in Abuja.
Onanuga stated that the National Sports Commission will take over the role of the Ministry of Sports henceforth.
It could be recalled that the National Sports Commission established in 1971 was dissolved by the Muhammadu Buhari government in 2015.
The Commission has a rich history, dating back to 1910 with the creation of the Empire Day competition.
The reinstatement of the National Sports Commission is expected to bring about changes in Nigeria’s sports management and development especially considering Team Nigeria’s failure to win a single medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with a huge investment of N12 billion.
Onanuga said that President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate winding up of the Ministry of Sports Development and the transfer of its functions to the National Sports Commission in order to develop a vibrant sports economy.