Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has urged the Federal Government to make sports a central component of Nigeria’s national development strategy, highlighting its potential to boost economic growth, create jobs, and empower young people.
Fashola made the call on Sunday while delivering a keynote address at the launch of veteran sports journalist Mumini Alao’s autobiography, held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Speaking on the theme “Re-thinking the Current Football Business Model in Nigeria as a Catalyst for Sports Development”, he recalled advocating for sports to be included in the 2017–2020 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) alongside infrastructure, agriculture, transport, and energy.
“During my time as minister, when the Federal Executive Council debated the ERGP to pull the country out of recession, I argued that sports should be a pillar of development and job creation, alongside the usual sectors,” Fashola said.
Outlining strategies to unlock the sector’s potential, Fashola emphasised the need to treat sports as a serious business and profession, build manpower from primary to tertiary levels, and upgrade infrastructure, particularly by linking stadiums with transportation systems.
He called for curriculum reforms to strengthen sports education, with involvement from the National Union of Teachers, school principals, and the National Universities Commission to establish or enhance sports faculties nationwide. He also stressed the value of community-based sports facilities, safety in sporting arenas, structured governance with consistent event calendars, and incentives such as tax credits and import duty concessions to attract private investment.
On funding, Fashola noted that good planning should precede financial considerations. “Too often we lament a lack of funding without a clear plan. If there is a sound plan, funding will follow,” he stated.
Citing Lagos State’s past sports calendar which ran from March to December and featured events like the Governor’s Tennis Cup, statewide school competitions, and the Boxing Day finals at Rowe Park, Fashola said such structured programming could ensure sustainable sports development in Nigeria.
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