The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has extended its congratulations to former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, following his appointment as the new Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) approved the appointment, placing Shaibu at the helm of Nigeria’s foremost institution for sports science and research. He succeeds Professor Olawale Moronkola and assumes the role with immediate effect.
In a statement on behalf of the football governing body, NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau praised Shaibu’s credentials and expressed confidence in his ability to revamp the institute.
“The NFF heartily congratulates His Excellency Philip Shaibu on this appointment, and we have no doubt that he has the intellectual capacity, passion, knowledge of sports science, and the energy and temperament to turn things around at the NIS,” Gusau said.
“We wish Comrade Shaibu the very best in this new but certainly exciting journey in his odyssey, and we believe that he has the ability to justify the confidence reposed in him by Mr. President,” he added.
Shaibu, a former student union leader, earned widespread recognition during his tenure as Deputy Governor for his hands-on approach and commitment to sports development in Edo State. His progressive policies and support for grassroots and elite sports programs have continued to yield dividends long after his time in office.
The National Institute for Sports, founded in 1974, serves as Nigeria’s premier center for research and training in sports. It is tasked with producing elite coaches, sports scientists, and administrators, while also conducting key research to enhance the country’s global competitiveness in athletics and related disciplines.
Shaibu’s appointment is seen by stakeholders as a step toward revitalizing the NIS and positioning it as a driver of innovation and excellence in Nigerian sports.