Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has confirmed that a comprehensive white paper capturing all discussions, issues, and proposed reforms from The Big Sports Dialogue 1.0 will be compiled and made publicly accessible.
Speaking during the summit, Dikko stressed that the document will not be treated as a confidential government file but as an open resource designed to foster transparency, accountability, and measurable progress.
“It can be circulated not just to us in government, but also to the people to see,” Dikko said. “By next year, when we meet for another dialogue, we can assess where we are coming from, what has improved, and what still needs attention.”
He explained that the white paper will serve as a reference point for evaluating reform progress, ensuring that commitments made at the dialogue are tracked and implemented.
“You Have to Be Judged by Your Last Result” – Dikko
Highlighting the importance of continuous improvement, the NSC chairman said constructive criticism is a key driver of growth in any system.
“Regardless of how good things are, even in the UK and the best countries in the world, people still complain and say they want to do better,” he said.
“No matter how well you are doing, there will always be someone who says you can do better. That is normal. That is the only way you can progress, because you have to be judged by your last result and see how you can improve on it.”
White Paper to Shape Nigeria’s 2026 Sports Agenda
The forthcoming document will guide Nigeria’s sports development roadmap in the areas of:
- Policy direction
- Legislative reforms
- Funding priorities and allocations
It will also help align stakeholders on measurable goals for the sports sector in 2026 and beyond.
Big Sports Dialogue Brings Key Stakeholders Together
The inaugural Big Sports Dialogue brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including
- Sports federation officials
- Sports administrators
- Private-sector players
Participants examined major challenges facing the Nigerian sports ecosystem and explored actionable strategies for revival, reform, and sustainable growth.
The white paper is expected to become a landmark document in Nigeria’s sports governance, signaling a new era of accountability and long-term planning.
