The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled a landmark insurance and welfare framework designed to safeguard Nigerian athletes from career-threatening risks and improve their overall wellbeing during national and international engagements.
The announcement was made by the Director-General of the Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, who declared that the new policy is a significant shift in how Nigeria supports and protects its sportsmen and women.
Olopade explained that the Commission has taken decisive steps to ensure athletes no longer live with the fear of severe injuries or financial setbacks while representing the country.
“Another decision that has been taken is on how we must reshape and reframe insurance and athlete welfare, not just locally but internationally,” Olopade said.
“We have all agreed on a template that will make life easier for our athletes to go out and come back feeling safe, that their health is secured, their lives are secured, and even the properties they travel with are secured.”
According to Olopade, the Commission’s leadership and relevant stakeholders have jointly endorsed a robust welfare framework that prioritizes the safety and comfort of all Nigerian athletes, including those under the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigeria’s athletics teams.
The newly introduced package is expected to offer broad-ranging benefits, including comprehensive health and medical insurance, coverage for rehabilitation and recovery in the event of injuries, life insurance for athletes on national duty, and protection of athletes’ personal belongings during local and international competitions.
This could be one of the most sweeping welfare reforms in recent years and is widely seen as a long-awaited step toward ensuring athletes compete without worry or financial risk.
For years, former and current athletes have lamented the lack of adequate protection when injuries occur during national assignments.
By removing the constant anxiety surrounding medical bills, property loss, or post-injury uncertainty, the policy aims to boost athletes’ morale and promote peak performance across all sporting disciplines.
