National Sports Commission Explained

The National Sports Commission is the Nigerian apex body responsible for regulating sports in the country, with Alhassan Yakmut serving as the last Director-General before it was scrapped by the Muhammadu Buhari government in 2015.^[1] It is headed by the Minister of Sports in Nigeria. Its origin dates as far back as 1910 with the creation of empire Day competition.^[2]

Some Notable Moments

• The first time Nigeria participated in an international sporting event was in 1934 Common Wealth and Empire Day Games held in London.
• Nigeria first contingent participation was in 1950 Commonwealth Games, 1952 Olympics in Finland and 1965 All African Games in Brazzaville, Congo
• National Sports Council was established in 1962, as a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Labour
• Became established as the National Sports Commission in 1971 (by the Federal Military Government Decree 34 of 1971)
• In 1975, Nigeria had her first Minister for Youth and Sports
• In 1995, The National Sport Commission was nulled and replaced with Ministry of Youth and Sports.
• In 2007, The Ministry for Sport and Social again nulled then replaced with the now National Sports Commission.

Name Changes

• National Sports Council (1962-1963)
• Ministry of Labour (1964 - 1971)
• National Sports Commission (1971- 1975)
• Ministry of Social Development, Youth and Sports (1975 - 1979)
• Ministry of Youth and Culture (1979 - 1982)
• Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (1982 - 1990)
• Ministry of Youth and Sports (1990 - 1992)
• National Sports Commission (1992 - 1995)
• Ministry of Youth and Sports (1995 - 1999)
• Ministry of Sports and Social Development (1999 - 2007)
• National Sports Commission (2007–Present)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Archived copy . 2014-09-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140911002153/http://sportscommission.gov.ng/NSC_history.htm . 2014-09-11 . dead .
2. Web site: Director General of National Sports Commission, Patrick Ekeji retires. Ifreke. Inyang. April 9, 2013.