Captains of industry emerge as Sports Federation leaders after transparent NSC elections
pannigeriannews
2 min read
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has concluded what officials describe as one of the most transparent and inclusive sports federation elections in recent years, resulting in the emergence of several high-profile professionals and public figures as leaders of various sports federations.
The elections, held under the supervision of NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, were conducted nationwide and attracted a diverse pool of candidates from both the public and private sectors.
Olopade said the exercise reflected a new phase in sports governance in Nigeria.
“Our focus has been to restore confidence in the system. These elections are a testament to our resolve to reposition Nigerian sports as a beacon of integrity and innovation,” he stated.
He added that the process provided equal opportunities for all qualified stakeholders to contest, noting that it was designed to deepen accountability and merit-based leadership across sports federations.
Among those elected were notable professionals and public officers, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who emerged as President of the Nigerian Boxing Federation. Edun previously chaired the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame and has been involved in youth development through sports.
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was elected President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, while two-time Governor of Gombe State and current Senator, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, became President of the Nigeria Chess Federation.
Similarly, Senator Obinna Ogba emerged as President of the Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria, and Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, was elected President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation.
In cricket, Mr. Uyi Akpata was re-elected unopposed as President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for a second term. Akpata, a senior regional partner at PwC, has been credited by colleagues in the cricket community with supporting grassroots development and promoting the sport’s visibility internationally.
Olopade described the overall outcome as a “new benchmark for transparency and inclusiveness,” and expressed confidence that the combination of experienced administrators and private sector leaders would enhance the performance of Nigerian sports federations.
He reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to “nurturing excellence, strengthening governance, and ensuring that Nigerian sports thrive both locally and globally.”
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