Olympic Dreams Boosted: NSC Injects ₦300m Grants for LA 2028 Athletes

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has significantly bolstered its support for Nigerian elite athletes, announcing a recent disbursement of approximately ₦300 million in quarterly training grants. This financial injection targets over 31 athletes as they intensify their preparations for the eagerly anticipated 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This particular payment marks the fifth since the inception of the quarterly training grants policy in 2025 and the third issued in 2026, cumulatively bringing the total funds released to more than ₦1 billion over the past two years.

The strategic initiative, managed by the NSC’s Elite and Podium Board, is designed to provide consistent financial support. Eligible athletes receive quarterly grants of $10,000, $5,000, or $3,000, with the specific amount determined by their performance levels and scientific assessments against established indicators. The commission articulated that the core objectives of this program are to enhance athletes’ welfare, ensure reliable financial backing for training, and ultimately elevate Nigeria's competitive standing at major international competitions.

Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director-General of the NSC, underscored the commission’s unwavering dedication to fostering a sustainable ecosystem for sporting excellence through deliberate and sustained investment in its athletes. He firmly stated, “There are no accidental successes in sports. This is why the Commission has prioritised the welfare and wellbeing of our athletes as a critical part of our strategy for scientific podium success.” Olopade further elaborated that these grants fulfill a key mandate issued by President Bola Tinubu to the commission’s leadership, specifically to guarantee Nigerian athletes receive ample financial assistance for international competitions.

Reflecting on President Tinubu’s directive, Olopade expressed satisfaction, noting, “I am particularly glad that we have been able to institute this athletes’ training grants policy because it is one of the core mandates Mr President gave to Mallam Shehu Dikko and me, to ensure that we put money in the pockets of Nigerian athletes and prepare them adequately for international competitions like the Olympics.” He emphasized that financial stability is crucial for athletes, allowing them to concentrate fully on their preparations without the added burden of training costs. He added, “We can only get the best out of our athletes when we take care of them properly. By doing so, they will wear the Green and White of our country with pride and dignity. This is why Mr President has continued to support every policy we have introduced to revamp the sports sector.”

The NSC highlighted that the positive impact of this sustained financial support is already evident in Nigeria’s recent performances at global sporting events. Noteworthy achievements include the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where Nigeria emerged as Africa’s top-performing nation. The exceptional performances of athletes like Samuel Ogazi and Nathaniel Ezekiel, who set new world records, were also cited as compelling proof of the benefits derived from consistent investment in elite sports development. Nigeria’s strong showing at the 2025 Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia further underscored the critical importance of continuous support for athletes as the nation intensifies its preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The commission reaffirmed that these quarterly grants are a foundational element of its overarching strategy to strengthen elite sports development, enhance international competitiveness, and ensure sustained medal-winning performances at major global competitions.