Ernest Osogbue.
The recent postponement of the upcoming AUSC Region 2 Games, scheduled for Banjul, the Gambia, from 7-13th June 2026, is not unconnected with the simmering battle between the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the secretariat of the AUSC Region 2 in Nigeria. According to our sources, the postponement was largely due to a lack of synergy and cooperation between the two sports administrative bodies. Rather than viewing the Region 2 office of the AUSC, as a partner in progress, the NSC, according to our investigations, views the body more as a nuisance, or at best, an unnecessary hindrance. This recently resulted in Nigeria losing the bid for the 2031 All Africa Games, to Uganda. It remains a big stain on Nigeria’s sporting image, that a country still struggling to meet its obligations to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), over co-hosting the 2027 AFCON, alongside Kenya and Tanzania, could beat Nigeria to the hosting rights of the All Africa Games.
From our investigations, one major bone of contention between the AUSC 2, and the NSC, is the recently organized workshop for the AUSC Region 2 sports directors, held in Abuja, between April 1-2. The workshop, which was hosted by the NSC, brought together the directors of sports across West Africa, to share ideas on sports development, with the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko, presiding over the event.
Unknown to many, the NSC, which said it was cash strapped at the time, solicited the AUSC Region 2, to host the event on its behalf. This was on the grounds that it would reimburse the AUSC 2, when cash becomes available. Unfortunately, however, all efforts made by the AUSC Region 2 for reimbursement since after the event, has fallen on deaf ears. Bukola Olopade, the Director General of the NSC, has even resorted to threats against Region 2 officials. The fallout of this scenario is that the AUSC 2, therefore, has no resources to commence preparations for the Region 2 Games in Banjul, the Gambia, hence the Games had to be called off, and may ultimately be canceled if the financial tussle between the two bodies remains unresolved.
We have it on good authority that part of the reasons for siting the AUSC 2 offices in Nigeria, was for the Nigerian government to assist the body with financial support once in a while, to enable it carry out its functions. President Tinubu, even made commitments to that effect, but at the time of this report, no financial assistance has been forthcoming to the body since the current NSC leadership came to office. On top of that, the NSC has reneged on the reimbursement of the several thousand dollars the AUSC 2, expended on its behalf to host the director’s seminar, leaving the body completely cash strapped and unable to carry out its functions.
The Region 2 offices of the AUSC, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, was deserted on a recent visit by our reporter. Information available, is that the Secretary General of the AUSC 2, Chief Michael Shamsu Mustapha, has gone underground, due to harassment and threats to his person. This follows a recent report, which revealed the absence of Nigerian officials in the entire AUSC structure across the African continent. It is understood that the NSC is therefore, applying pressure on the AUSC 2 officials, with a view to forcefully imposing a Nigerian on the office, contrary to the AUSC recruitment procedures.
Similarly, the NSC, also recently, in response to one of our reports, issued a press statement detailing a comprehensive sports facility upgrade by the Tinubu administration. If you recall, a report we recently published, criticized the NSC leadership, due the lack of Olympic standard sports facilities in Nigeria. The NSC statement detailed all that the Tinubu administration intends to embark upon, with a view to bringing sports facilities up to date. This is coming, with only a few months to the 2027 general elections, scheduled for January next year, and the end of President Tinubu’s first term in office. One would want to ask, what has the NSC leaders been doing since their appointments? What if President Tinubu is not re-elected? God forbid! What would Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade showcase to Nigerians as their achievements since being appointed?
Bukola Olopade has continued his habitual junket from venue to venue of mushroom championships, in pursuit of estacodes, being photographed with athletes, like a liaison officer, rather than the chief executive of the NSC. The intent from our understanding, is to deceive President Tinubu, into believing that winning medals at different mushroom championships, is a mark of progress in Nigerian sports. Olopade, has simply forgotten his role as the DG of the NSC, whose work should speak, rather than having his photographs on blogs and the pages of newspapers. As we pray for President Tinubu to continue in office beyond 2027, there is a belief that the NSC, would require a big shot in the arm, if the president is to achieve his renewed hope agenda for Nigerian sports. The lack of depth in understanding of sports politics, and the paucity of concrete ideas on how to elevate Nigerian sports, by Olopade, and the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko, has remained worrisome to most stakeholders.
Recently, at the 50th General Assembly of the Association of Summer Olympics International Federations (ASOIF), in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 27th May 2026, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Kirsty Coventry, told the world that not all the 36 sports that participated at the Paris Olympic Games, would make it to the 2032 Games in Brisbane, Australia. According to Coventry, with 36 sports, and about 11,100 athletes, set to feature at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, the Olympic Games was becoming too unwieldy, and therefore, many sports and, or events, would have to be delisted from the 2032 Games, in order for a more manageable organization. The IOC board is set to meet in Lausanne, between 9-10th June, to decide on which sports to be dropped from the 2032 Olympics. How prepared is the NSC for this event, which could have far reaching consequences and implications for Nigerian sports and Nigerian athletes?
Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade are more interested in public relations stories praising them over medals won at mushroom championships, rather than diligently rolling up their sleeves to work out new approaches to Nigerian sports development. From all indications, these two gentlemen are completely out of their depth, and are only interested in the vagaries of office, while throwing their weights around, and sharing crumbs to those who sing their praises. For now, we watch and wait to see if the NSC, would offset its indebtedness to the AUSC Region 2, and bring the Banjul Games back on track.
