The National Sports Commission (NSC) has inaugurated newly elected boards for Nigeria’s Para Sports Federations, charging the officials to drive reforms and align their activities with the Commission’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE) agenda.
The elections, which produced new leadership across seven Para Sports Federations, were widely described by stakeholders as free, fair and credible.
The newly elected officials include Opukiri Michael Jones-Ere as President of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation, with Joshua Dauda Bungon elected Vice President.
In the Nigeria Para Athletics Federation, Etti Rafiu Olawale emerged President, while Mohammed Musa Nafiu was elected Vice President.
Sports philanthropist Kingsley James Awodi was unanimously elected President of the Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation, with Chief Akutekwe Patrick (MON) emerging as Vice President.
For the Nigeria Para Soccer Federation, Alhaji Kaka Mallam was elected President, while Sherifat Bola Araoye became Vice President.
Adeyemi Adeshina Adeola emerged President of the Nigeria Para Swimming Federation, with Dr Ahmed Alao elected Vice President.
In the Nigeria Para Volleyball Federation, Muhammed Abbah Isa was elected President, while Hon. Jim Okolo emerged Vice President.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, described the sports federations as the foundation of Nigeria’s sports development and urged the new boards to build enduring legacies through effective leadership and innovation.
He said the Commission had provided a platform for competent administrators to contribute meaningfully to the growth of sports, particularly within the para sports community.
According to Dikko, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to transforming the nation’s sports sector, with para sports occupying a central place in that vision.
“What we have successfully done today is to give you all the platform to come on board and contribute your quota to building a sustainable sports economy, especially within the Nigeria para sports community,” he said.
He added that the Federal Government remained committed to creating opportunities that would strengthen sports development and promote inclusion across all categories of athletes.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the newly elected officials, noting that the calibre of individuals elected reflected the growing attractiveness of Nigeria’s sports administration.
Olopade said the emergence of experienced professionals and administrators would strengthen ongoing reforms in the sector and advance the Commission’s vision for sustainable sports development.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to prioritising para sports, expressing confidence that the new leadership would work closely with the NSC to elevate special sports in Nigeria to greater heights.
The inauguration marks another milestone in the Commission’s efforts to reposition sports administration through transparent governance, institutional reforms and stronger stakeholder participation.
