The National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Surulere, Lagos — once a hub for training national coaches and sports medical personnel — has been left to decay, its facilities now a shadow of their former self.
Earlier on Monday, the newly appointed Director-General, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, paid a visit to the institute and was confronted with the grim reality of years of neglect.
From dilapidated dormitories and decrepit offices to non-functional toilet facilities, every corner of the institute bears the marks of abandonment.
The basic infrastructure — including water supply, electricity, and general maintenance — is in a dire state.
Clearly disturbed by what he saw, Shaibu did not mince words. He declared a state of emergency on the renovation of the institute, promising swift and decisive action to bring it back to life.
“This institution is too critical to our national sports development to be left in this condition,” Shaibu stated during the tour. “We must restore its dignity and ensure it serves its purpose once again.”
As the task ahead looms large, expectations are high. The coming weeks will reveal the pace and commitment of the new leadership — and whether the National Institute of Sports can reclaim its former glory.