Shaibu champions stronger inter-agency collaboration

… as NIS produces Nigeria’s first certified marathon medical director

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has renewed calls for stronger collaboration among government agencies in the sports sector, stressing that synergy remains critical to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential in sports development.

Shaibu stated this at a media conference to introduce Nigeria’s first certified marathon medical director, Dr Sam Ogbondeminu, who just completed an international certification process in Spain.

Speaking at the interactive session, the DG emphasised that inter-governmental collaboration is not just desirable but necessary, citing practical examples of how partnerships can drive results.

He particularly appreciated the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lady Bianca Ojukwu for their intervention in facilitating visa arrangements that enabled participation in the certification programme in Spain.

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Shaibu said, “This is why collaboration among government institutions is essential. Without that support, this milestone may not have been possible.”

The NIS boss, however, expressed concern over the lack of institutional support from key agencies within the sports ecosystem, noting that NIS has largely relied on internal efforts and private partnerships to sustain its programmes, despite its central role in sports development.

He called for synergy among the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the NIS, advising the three major sports parastatals in the country to align for optimal performance.

Shaibu said while NFF focuses on football and the NSC oversees general sports administration, NIS remains the nation’s specialised institution responsible for the training and certification of athletes across various disciplines.

“The NIS is not just an academic institution; it is both academic and professional. We train, certify, and build capacity for athletes and sports personnel.

“That role must be fully recognised and integrated into national sports planning. Our technical teams are already working. We want to see NIS certification align with CAF B standards, so that our graduates remain competitive globally,” the DG said.

Highlighting the significance of Dr Ogbondeminu’s achievement, Shaibu described it as a major milestone for Nigeria’s sports medicine landscape. He lamented that in the past, the country had to rely on foreign expertise for such roles, but expressed confidence that Ogbondeminu’s certification marked the beginning of self-sufficiency.

“I am a team player, and my goal is simple: to ensure that the system works. When it fails, we must take responsibility, not shift it. At the NIS, we have started the work, and very soon, we will begin to see even greater results,” he said.

Ogbondeminu, while recounting his journey to certification, said the opportunity began when the DG encouraged him to apply as medical director for the Okpekpe International Road Race. He explained that meeting the requirements necessitated undergoing a three-stage certification programme in Madrid.

With this achievement, Nigeria now boasts a certified marathon medical director, a development expected to strengthen the country’s capacity to host and manage international road races with improved medical standards.