In preparation for Nigeria’s hosting of the upcoming World Athletics Africa Road Running Conference, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has constituted the event’s Organizing Committee, naming Chief Solomon Ogba, First Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), as the Chairman.

The Committee comprises distinguished sports administrators and seasoned professionals drawn from both the sports industry and corporate sector.

Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasized the careful selection process behind the committee’s composition. “The members of the Committee were meticulously selected because of their professionalism and tested qualities, and I have no doubt that they will all bring their wealth of experience to bear to ensure we stage a befitting Road Running conference which will be the first of its kind in the country,” he said.

Director General of the Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, added that hosting the conference will open doors for more international events in Nigeria. “This is another milestone for refocusing and resetting our Sports developmental goals, and I have no doubt that we have picked a good team to achieve the successful hosting of the Conference,” the DG stated.

Full list of committee members:

1. Chief Solomon Ogba – Chairman

2. Mr. Segun Ogunleye – Member (Corporate Nigeria)

3. Mrs. Oge Kasie-Nwachukwu – Member (Corporate Nigeria)

4. Mr. Danladi Verheijen – Member (Corporate Nigeria)

5. Ms. Aku Aghazu – Member

6. Ms. Otonye Iworima – Member

7. Mr. Travih Nunayon – Member

8. Mr. Yusuf Ali – Member

9. Mr. Femi Adeniran – Member (Corporate Nigeria)

10. Ms. Aisha Shuaibu – Member

11. Mr. Salihu Abubakar – Member

12. Mr. Kunle Solaja – Member

13. Mr. Dare Esan – Member

14. Ms. Tayo Popoola – Member

15. Mr. Israel Iwang – Secretary

The Chinese Government has intensified bilateral relationships with the Nigerian Government through the National Sports Commission, NSC, following the visa glitch that led to Team  Nigeria withdrawing from the World relays in Guangzhou, China.

This landmark feat was achieved when officials of the Chinese Embassy paid a diplomatic visit to the leadership of the National Sports Commission.

Culture Counselor of the  Chinese Embassy Yang Jian Xing expressed regrets over the visa challenges that prompted Nigeria to withdraw from the World relays and pledged China’s commitments to the country’s vision for Sports Development.

” I want to describe what has happened as an accident and we are sorry and we regret it in its entirety. We are here to let the Sports Commission know that the Chinese Government holds Nigeria of high esteem”.

” We are open to better collaboration with the National Sports Commission to boost diplomatic ties of both China and Nigeria in terms of Sports Training and Exchange programmes”.

” Once again I want to assure you that from next time we will try our best for this not to repeat itself again and we will also like to create a special channel for a China and Nigeria Sports Communication”, he added.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the Commission has accepted the gestures of  regrets by the Chinese Government and are ready to  foster better collaboration for the future.

” We are very happy to receive officials from the Chinese Embassy in our office today and it shows the Chinese Government genuine disappointment for what happened which for us is a huge sign of better things to come between both countries especially in Sports”.

” We should at all times try to create positives out of things like this and we are happy that this has further strengthened our relationship with the Chinese Embassy”.

The Director General of the NSC Hon. Bukola Olopade reiterated the Commission’s desire to build stronger sporting ties with China and allowed the incident of the visa glitch to serve as a springboard to a robust working relationship.

” Your humility and diplomacy is the best I have seen anywhere and I am very grateful that you best described the incident between the AFN, the Commission and your embassy as an accident and we have all agreed to take it as such and move forward to better things”.

” I want to thank you for everything and for the request for exchange programmes and training for our media and Sports men and women.This is truly worthy of note . We are looking forward to a bigger and better relationship between Nigeria and China”, he concluded.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) continues to make significant strides in positioning Nigeria into a global sporting hub, as the ongoing 2025/2028 International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) Judges Course takes center stage in Abuja.

Running from May 10th to 14th, 2025, the prestigious FIG MAG International Judges Course has drawn participants from across the continent — including Algeria, Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa, and host nation Nigeria — under the expert guidance of Russia’s Dimitri Andreev, a respected FIG official. 

The course aims to develop high-caliber gymnastics judges, laying the groundwork for a brighter future for the sport in Africa.

Under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, the NSC has tasked national sports federations with raising the bar in local talent discovery and international relevance — a challenge they are meeting with renewed vigor.

Commending the Nigeria Gymnastics Federation for its exceptional hosting of the event, the NSC noted that such achievements are part of a broader national strategy to attract international sports events and foster capacity development.

“This course is yet another step in our mission to make Nigeria a preferred destination for international sporting activities,” said DG, Hon. Bukola Olopade.

Nigeria’s credentials as a regional sports powerhouse continues to grow. Earlier in the year, Nigeria hosted the ECOWAS African Wrestling Championship with 11 countries participating in celebration of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary. Similarly, in late 2024, Nigeria hosted the 2nd African Military Games — “AMGA Abuja 2024” — further solidifying its leadership in African sports diplomacy.

A number of Nigerian sports Federation presidents are also gaining traction in global sports governance. Francis Orbih (badminton), Daniel Igali (wrestling) and Prince kelvin Erhunmwunse (gymnastics) have recently secured influential international appointments in their respective international sports federation bodies, while more are poised to follow in this footstep.

As the FIG course progresses in Abuja, the NSC remains steadfast in its mission — creating opportunities, building expertise, and placing Nigeria firmly on the map as a center for sporting excellence.