Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports (NIS), has announced his commitment to undertake a comprehensive reform of the institute. This decisive move comes after Shaibu identified significant systemic flaws within the NIS that are actively impeding Nigeria's overall sports development efforts. During a recent interview with M4Stv, Shaibu shared two personal negative encounters with the NIS, underscoring the urgency of these reforms.

One particularly impactful incident involved the coach of Edo Queens, Moses Aduku, who was barred from sitting on the bench during the CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco in 2024. Shaibu recounted his surprise when he saw Aduku in the stands, only to learn that his NIS certificate was not recognized by the continental body. This unfortunate event served as a stark 'wake-up call' for Shaibu, highlighting a broader crisis of credibility plaguing the institute. He emphasized that the NIS, which he likens to the 'engine room' of Nigeria’s sports ecosystem, must function optimally for the country to achieve international sporting success.

The issue with the coach’s certification stemmed directly from Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations. These rules mandate that head coaches must possess a CAF ‘A’ License or a valid PRO License from an equivalent sister confederation, such as UEFA or AFC, to be allowed on the bench during interclub competitions like the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup. Assistant coaches, meanwhile, are required to hold a CAF ‘B’ License. The NIS certificate held by coach Moses Aduku did not meet these international standards, leading to his disqualification.

Shaibu articulated a strong belief that a dysfunctional NIS directly contributes to Nigeria's poor performance in major international events like the African Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics. He argued that the institute is failing in its statutory role of nurturing world-class coaches equipped with globally recognized certifications. To rectify this, he stressed the critical need for the NIS to align its coaching methodologies with international federations, ensuring that its graduates can obtain the highest-level certifications demanded by global sports bodies.

Looking ahead, Shaibu expressed significant optimism about the future transformation of the NIS. He highlighted the indispensable role of collaboration between the private sector and government to secure essential funding and support. While acknowledging the importance of financial resources, Shaibu asserted that a well-defined strategic blueprint is paramount. He confirmed that the institute is actively developing such a plan, which he believes will be instrumental in attracting the necessary funding and facilitating a complete rebranding of the Nigerian Institute of Sports. This strategic approach aims to fundamentally reposition the NIS to effectively address the challenges facing Nigerian sports management.