In a powerful move to bridge national security and youth development, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has pledged the support of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for a strategic partnership with the National Institute for Sports (NIS)—aimed at training military coaches and athletes, and using sports as a transformative tool to fight insecurity.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the NIS management team to Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, General Musa described sports as a “national engine room” with the potential to reduce crime, build discipline, and empower young people across Nigeria.
“If we truly engage our youths in sports, there will be no crime. Nigeria is overflowing with talent. I’m an advocate of ‘catch-them-young’ and the military is ready to work with NIS to build a generation of athletes and coaches who will bring pride to the nation—and purpose to our communities,” he said.
Musa, who proudly recalled his days with the Edo State Handball Association, stressed the urgent need to revive grassroots sports across the country, especially in areas prone to youth unrest and violence.
In his remarks, Comrade Philip Shaibu, Director General and CEO of the National Institute for Sports, and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, noted that the visit was to propose a robust collaboration with the military and to introduce the renewed leadership vision at NIS.
“Sports is more than medals and trophies. It is a powerful tool for nation-building and economic growth,” Shaibu said. “If supported, NIS has the capacity to train the entire sports management ecosystem in Nigeria.”
Shaibu lamented the long-standing neglect of the institute, which he said had been operational for over five decades but only enjoyed real development for five years. He called for government, private sector, and military collaboration to resuscitate the institution and fully unlock its potential.
“NIS was established over 50 years ago but has operated in limbo for much of its existence. That must change. We are repositioning NIS to align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and to ensure that our certifications are globally respected.”
The NIS boss also made a passionate appeal for the revival of state leagues, once a breeding ground for local sports talent. According to him, bringing back these leagues could employ thousands of young Nigerians, create career pathways, and curb youth restiveness.
“If every state has an active league, imagine the jobs and hope we can create. This is not just sports—it’s an economic and security solution,” Shaibu stated.
The proposed collaboration between the military and the National Institute for Sports marks a significant shift in how national development is being approached—placing youth engagement, sports education, and security at the intersection of policy and performance.
With General Musa’s endorsement and NIS’s renewed vision, sports may soon become one of Nigeria’s most strategic tools in nation-building—off the pitch, and on the frontlines of peace.