By Ikemefuna Asika
FORMER Chairman of Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, Mallam Shehu Dikko has been appointed as the new Chairman of the National Sports Commission, which now takes over from the Ministry of Sports Development.
The appointment was announced by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu following the scrapping of former Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.
DIKO, who is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dikko brings a wealth of experience in the sports industry, marked by his innovative ideas and a reputation as an astute administrator.
Alhaji Dikko is currently a member of FIFA Football Stakeholders Commitee and CAF Organizing Committee for Interclubs Competition and Club licensing management.
It is expected that his experience and exposure will catapult Nigerian sports to be responsive to international best practices.
His journey in Nigerian football administration saw him in 2004 serve as the FIFA Goal Project Manager (Nigeria), organizing several club tours between Portsmouth F.C. and Manchester United alongside Kano Pillars F.C.
In 2008, Dikko became a consultant for the sports committee in the Nigerian House of Representatives, a role he held until 2011. During this time, he played a key role in drafting the National Sports Commission bill in the National Assembly.
He led the Nigerian professional football league for many years and brought fresh ideas, growth and stability to the league. He also served as 2nd Vice Chairman of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
His appointment to lead the National Sports Commission comes at a crucial time as he is expected to leverage his extensive experience to foster sports development, excellence, and lasting impact on Nigeria’s sporting landscape.
