NIS holds convocation lecture, as Prof. Moronfolu proffers solution to Nigeria’s sports revival

As part of activities marking it’s 9th convocation/ 50 years anniversary celebration, the National Institute For Sports ( NIS) Wednesday held it’s Pre- convocation lecture.

Delivering his lecture titled ‘Nigeria Journey in sports industry in the last 50 years and strategies for better outcomes in the next decades’. Prof. Abiodun Moronfolu of the Department of Human Kinetics & Health Education, Lagos State University noted that the National Institute For Sports has played a leading role in the country’s sports trajectory in the last fifty years which is an indication that the history of sports in Nigeria will be incomplete without giving attention to the significant contributions of NIS to the country’s sports development.

According to him, NIS has not only been involved in the production of high calibre sports administrators, athletes and coaches but has contributed to sports development in the country through cutting edge researches that has impacted athletes’ preparation and performance.

Prof. Moronfolu noted that not minding the successes recorded in sports by the country over the years, it’s disheartening that the country’s sports has been going down.

He identified inadequate planning and preparation, inadequate and late release of funds, low private investment in sports business, neglect of sports development programmes, inadequate sports facilities and poor succession planning as the bane of Nigerian sports development.

On how to revive Nigerian sports, the erudite Professor noted that there must be improved infrastructure, improved national health and wellness index, strategic planning, adoption of mixed management model, setting up of semi- autonomous sports bodies, digital sports revolution, prioritizing grassroots sports, good succession planning, investment in coaching education and expansion of sports.facilities amongst others.

Prof. Moronfolu while commending the Director General of NIS, Prof. Olawale Akanbi Moronkola for the transformation he has brought to the Institute appealed to the Government to allocate more funds to the Institute just as he advised coaches to upgrade themselves from analog to digital coaching.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu commended the Director General and the entire Management of the Institute for nurturing the school to produce world class athletes and coaches even as he stated that the Committee members are impressed with what they saw during their oversight visit to the Institute last year.

Hon. Amadu also used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for increasing budgetary allocation to the sports sector by more than 200%, expressing hope that the recent establishment of National Sports Commission will help in changing the country’s sports eco system.

He also expressed hope that very soon the NIS will became a Sports University which he says will go a long way in changing the landscape of the Institute.

” We at the Committee are happy with the transformation the NIS has gone through since Prof. Moronkola took over the mantle of leadership. We’re equally happy with what we saw during our oversight visit late last year and I urge the Director General to continue with his good work”, he stressed.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko who was represented by his Special Assistant Technical, Bar. Musa Ahmadu posited that the Commission recognizes the impact NIS has made on sports development in the country with an assurance that they will continue to assist the Institute in achieving the goals of it’s founding fathers
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of the Institute Prof. Moronkola, explained that it has been 50 years of excellence, achievements and commitment and thanked the students and management team for their support.

Highlight of the event was the induction of some former students into the Institute’s Hall of fame.

Those inducted are; Daniel Ogunmodede, Solomon Ga’anda, John Obuh, Amodu Shuaibu, Fanny Amun and Yemi Tella.

Others are; Monday Emoghavwe, Bankole Olowookere, Moses Kpakor, Fidelis Ilechukwu, Austin Eguavoen, Justin Madugu, Brown Ebewele and Sunday Bada.

Also inducted into the Hall of Fame are ; Godwin Uwua, Ann Chiejine, Ladan Bosso, Fatai Amaoo, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, Chioma Ajunwa and Peter Rufai.

The event also witnessed the renaming of the Institute’s Conference Hall after it’s pioneer Principal Sir. Dr. Awoture Eleyae.

The Convocation comes up Thursday, January, 30, 2025 at the Gymnasium Hall of the Institute which will also witness the investiture of Fellows of the Institute