The National Council on Sports convened its 2025 meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, culminating in a series of comprehensive resolutions aimed at fortifying Nigeria’s sports landscape and aligning national sporting endeavors with the economic objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda. Held at the Kashim Shettima Hall, State Library Complex, the meeting gathered pivotal stakeholders from across the nation under the theme: “Business of Sports: Creating Jobs, Wealth, and Utility under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Deliberations commenced with a resounding commendation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acknowledging his “unwavering commitment” to sports development. His strategic redesignation of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and sustained support for the sector were highlighted as crucial steps in re-establishing sports as a viable economic engine. The Council also extended its gratitude to the Cross River State Government, led by Governor Bassey Edet Otu, for its exemplary hospitality and the seamless organization of the event, affirming Calabar as an ideal setting for discussions on national sports growth. A communique issued post-meeting, signed by Malam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the NSC and Council, reflected an assessment of existing governance approaches within the NSC. Members lauded the Commission’s business-oriented reforms, recognizing the tangible improvements they have brought to sports administration and athlete development nationwide.

A critical focus of the meeting was the imperative for robust insurance policies to safeguard athletes, officials, and facilities within the sports sector. The Council emphasized that such protective measures are indispensable for modern sports administration and must be rigorously implemented across all national competitions. Consequently, the NSC was mandated to ensure that states provide verifiable, centralized insurance coverage for their contingents participating in events such as the National Youth Games (NYG), National Intermediate Games (NIG), and the National Sports Festival (NSF). This directive aims to bolster athlete welfare and mitigate liability risks for all parties involved.

Attention also centered on upcoming national competitions. The 23rd National Sports Festival, slated for Enugu in 2026, received strong commendation, with delegates expressing optimism that the “Coal City Games” would establish new benchmarks for domestic sports hosting. Furthermore, the Council celebrated the NSC’s approval for the construction of international-standard swimming pools in the next three host states of the National Sports Festival, commencing with Enugu, to ensure cutting-edge infrastructure capable of supporting elite performance. In a significant announcement, Bayelsa and Kaduna States were unveiled as the respective hosts for the 2028 and 2030 editions of the National Sports Festival, a recognition attributed to the substantial sports investments made by Governors Douye Diri and Senator Uba Sani.

To streamline national competitions, the Council approved a reduction in the number of sports featured at the National Sports Festival, instructing the National Sports Commission to collaborate with sports federations and state sports directors for its implementation. The 3rd National Para Games was announced to take place in Abuja in March 2026, underscoring Nigeria’s dedication to inclusive sports and expanding opportunities for athletes with disabilities.

Anti-doping reforms were also a prominent discussion point, leading to the Council’s approval for the development of a comprehensive Nigeria Anti-Doping Policy. The National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) was tasked with spearheading this initiative, with WADA’s confirmation of Nigeria's current compliance with global anti-doping standards being acknowledged. Addressing the developmental gap between the National Youth Games and the National Sports Festival, the Council approved the establishment of the National Intermediate Games (NIG) for athletes aged 17–20, designed to serve as a crucial developmental bridge. Lagos State was designated to host the inaugural edition of the NIG in 2026.

A firm stance was adopted against age-cheating, with Council members issuing a stern warning that such malpractice undermines fair play. Stringent sanctions, including disqualification, fines, and criminal prosecution, are to be enforced across all age-graded events. To broaden stakeholder participation in national sports governance, the Council approved the expansion of its membership to include key economic and regulatory institutions such as FIRS, NBS, BOI, CBN, NIPC, NDIC, NNPC Limited, and the Federal Ministry of Education. The meeting concluded with appreciation extended to Lagos State for agreeing to host the next edition of the National Council on Sports.