The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have agreed to strengthen their partnership in a bid to enhance integrity, transparency, and accountability across Nigeria’s sports sector.

The renewed commitment was reached during a strategic meeting between NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, and EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

During the meeting, Dikko highlighted ongoing reforms in the sports sector following the establishment of the National Sports Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 2024. He said the Commission was mandated to reposition sports as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economic growth and national development.

According to the NSC chairman, the Commission’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE) framework is designed to transform sports into a viable economic asset capable of attracting investment, generating employment opportunities, and contributing significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Dikko emphasized that maintaining integrity within the sports ecosystem is essential to achieving these objectives. He pointed to recent measures introduced by the Commission, including the enactment of the National Anti-Doping Law, the establishment of the National Anti-Doping Centre, and the creation of the NSC Independent Sports Integrity Board.

He noted that the initiatives are aimed at ensuring compliance with international best practices, promoting ethical conduct, and safeguarding the credibility of Nigerian sports.

The partnership between the NSC and EFCC is expected to strengthen efforts to combat corruption, financial misconduct, and other unethical practices within the sports industry, while fostering greater public confidence and investor interest in the sector.

Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working together to build a transparent and accountable sports ecosystem that supports Nigeria’s broader economic and developmental goals.