END-OF-YEAR STATEMENT: OFFICE OF NIGERIA’s PILLAR OF SPORTS

By Saidu Abubakar

As the curtain gently falls on the outgoing sporting year, I extend warm greetings to the entire Nigerian sporting fraternity—athletes, coaches, administrators, medical teams, officials, volunteers, journalists, and the countless fans whose faith never wavers. You are the quiet infrastructure behind every medal, every anthem, every tear of joy.

This year, Nigeria stood tall on many podiums. Through grit and grace, our athletes—individually and collectively—made the nation proud across tracks, pitches, courts, rings, and arenas at home and abroad. From grassroots to elite performance, the Nigerian spirit remained indomitable. You reminded the world that our talent is deep, our resilience legendary, and our hunger undiminished.

Yet, sport, like life, demands honesty. We must also learn from our setbacks, particularly our failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. These moments are not verdicts; they are classrooms. Failure, when owned, becomes strategy. The task before us is to convert lessons into systems, planning into performance, and promise into preparation. Hope is not wishful thinking; hope is disciplined work.

I commend key stakeholders whose leadership continues to steady the ship of Nigerian sports administration. I acknowledge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for prioritising institutional reforms and renewed focus on sports as a tool for unity and youth empowerment.

I also recognise the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, for driving coordination and accountability; the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, and his team for stewarding our most followed game through demanding transitions.

This is not also forgetting the President of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida for his leadership in the slamming and dunking game, which culminated in the D’Tigress’ success during the year. To the many other administrators across federations and states—often unseen, but always essential, your service matters.

With a heavy heart, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the 22 Kano State contingents who tragically lost their lives while returning to Kano from the National Sports Festival in Ogun State. The sporting family mourns with you. Their memories will endure in the collective conscience of Nigerian sports, and we honour them by recommitting to safety, care, and solidarity.

To our beloved Super Eagles, currently flying the flag at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, who are now into the round of 16, following victories over Tanzania and Tunisia: the nation stands with you. Wear the green-white-green jersey with courage and honour. Play with intelligence. Fight with unity of purpose. History beckons—go for the fourth crown and write your names in gold. You carry not just a team, but the dreams of hundreds of millions of people.

As we look to 2026, let us choose optimism anchored in action. Invest in grassroots sports development. Protect athlete welfare. Professionalise administration. Reward excellence. Above all, believe—because Nigeria’s sporting destiny is brighter when we work together.

Here’s to resilience, renewal, and remarkable victories ahead.

Happy and prosperous New Year.