Nigerian Sports Scientists Ask Tinubu To Reverse Appointment Of Philip Shuaibu As DG NIS

By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

The President of the Nigeria Association of Sports Science and Medicine (NASSM), Professor Isiaka Oladele Oladipo, has faulted the appointment of former Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu as the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports NIS.

Oladipo also expressed the worries that the appointment seems troubling and could set an precedent that may spell doom for the future of sports development in the country.

The sports scientist from the Department of Human Kinetics, University of Ibadan, said his fears arise from the “assigning of a sensitive, research based institution like the NIS to a non-professional.

He opined that the occupant of the office of DG NIS should be a qualified academic expert in the field of sports science, “not an accountant.”

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He said “someone of Shaibu’s background may be more appropriately appointed as NIS board chairman, rather than entrusted with daily operations and policy direction of the institute.”

Oladipo stressed that , the appointment of non-specialist to run the day to day affairs of NIS undermines the institute’s purpose.

He drew comparisons with other research institutions.

He asked, “Is the head of FIIRO a mechanic? Is the Minister of Justice an engineer?”

He emphasized that such an appointment represents a “square peg in a round hole.”

He further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the decision and halt the politicization of appointments within critical professional institutions.

“The NIS was established by an Act, which presumably outlines the qualifications required for the position of Director-General. Unless the Act has been amended, an accountant should not lead the institute.

He further stressed that numerous highly qualified sports professionals exist in Nigeria and deserve such leadership roles, just as professionals are expected to head ministries in finance, justice, health, and agriculture, urging President Tinubu to reverse the appointment and instead select a sports science expert to lead the institute.

Nigeria’ s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu last Saturday had announced the appointment of former Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, as Director General of the institute.

Established in 1974, the NIS is a research and training institution under the National Sports Commission (NSC), tasked with producing elite coaches, sports scientists, and administrators while conducting critical research to enhance Nigeria’s international sports performance.