Ten takeaways as Dikko attends Interregional African Ministerial Meeting

By Clement Nwankpa Jr

National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko participated at the Interregional African Ministerial meeting in Banjul on Tuesday. 

The theme was “Strengthening Sport Governance in Africa: Fostering Interregional Cooperation and Convergence for Sport Values, Ethics and Integrity.”

With the aim of consolidating a vision and strengthening cooperation at the regional level, the event brought together ministers of sports from the African continent, the Bureau of the ninth session of the Conference of Parties (COP9) to the International Convention against Doping in Sport, representatives of African interregional organizations, as well as experts and key stakeholders. 

Here are ten takeaways from the meeting.

(1) Applause for Nigeria’s Sports reforms, RHINSE.

Mallam Shehu Dikko seized the opportunity as one of the selected speakers/panelist to highlight the reforms being undertaken in Nigerian sports. He buttressed the disposition towards sports economy driven by the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE) and leaning on the three Rs namely Reset, Refocus and Relaunch.
In his projection, Nigerian sports should move from competition-driven to development-driven; from consumption to production. This got a resounding commendation and the consensus in the hall was that Nigerian sports is headed in the right direction under the current NSC leadership.

(2) President Tinubu hailed for bold sporting decisions, support for sector.

With Dikko’s lucid presentation shedding light on the president’s support for the sector, President Tinubu was hailed for lending his full weight behind the nation’s sports reforms. While it was noted that executive will is paramount to drive veritable sports policies, President Tinubu was applauded for the bold step of restoring the National Sports Commission and making appropriate investments to spearhead the sector’s progress.

(3) Endorsement of Anti-doping Laboratory in Nigeria.

The forum provided further opportunity for Mallam Dikko to have engagements with Director of WADA Africa, Mr. Rodney Swigelaar and the CEO of USA  Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Mr. Travis Tygard in relation to Nigeria’s quest to strengthen our anti-doping framework. Of particularly interest in the discussions was the proposed Anti-doping Laboratory to be situated in Nigeria with budgetary allocation in the 2025 fiscal year.

It was seen as a project that will be of immense benefit to the continent since currently there is only one Anti-doping Laboratory in Africa while generating revenues for Nigeria. Both parties pledged support for the project.

(4) Update on NADA Bill gets experts’ thumbs up.

Continuing his engagement with the WADA Africa Director and USADA CEO, Dikko provided updates on the status of the ongoing legislative work on the Nigeria Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) Bill.
The feeling among the parties was that where there is a will, there will be a way. They commended efforts being made to make the NADA Act a reality.

(5) Continental support for pending doping processes secured.

The WADA Africa delegation further committed to continuously support and engage with Nigeria to ensure all pending doping processes are strengthened and resolved soonest to ensure Nigeria is fully compliant.

(6) Parley with Gambian President.

After the meeting, the NSC Chairman along with other delegates paid a visit to the President of Gambia His Excellence Adama Barrow in his office. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest to both countries in sports.

(7) African Union Sports Council Region II operations to be enhanced.

Dikko also engaged Her Excellency Amb. Minata Samara Cessounma, the Africa Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development on the need to collaborate to upscale and enhance the operations of African Union Sports Council Region II which Nigeria is hosting its headquarters and leading the process.
There were other collaborative initiatives between Nigeria and the Africa Union in advancing sports development in Africa.

(8) Nigeria encouraged to host African Games 2031.

During the engagement with Amb. Samara, preliminary exploratory discussions were also held to encourage Nigeria to consider making a bid to host the African Games 2031. This is in tandem with the Commission’s resolve to upgrade sports infrastructures across the nation in a bid to attract international sporting events and set the foundation for sustainable sports development in Nigeria with the right infrastructures. In their reckoning, more of these international events will aid the sports economy.

(9) Dikko’s three decades experience in the industry manifest in his paper.

While delivering his paper as one of selected speakers and panelist, Dikko brought all of his about three decades experience in the sector to bear. It oozed from his delivery and there was no doubt that this was a round peg in a round hole. There was an agreement that President Tinubu had made the right choice and Nigerian sports is in the right hands.

(10) Stakeholders engagements continue.

Dikko was immensely satisfied with the outcome of the meeting. He was excited over the opportunities his presence in Banjul presented and is committed towards ensuring they rub off on his assignment at the helms of Nigerian sports.

His words, “The NSC will continue engaging with all stakeholders and colleagues across the globe in our quest to boost sports development in Nigeria hinged on sustainable frameworks and create a sports economy in Nigeria in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tiinubu.”