FG Pledges Support for Diaspora Athletes as Nigeria Holds Maiden Multi-Sport Talent Hunt in UK
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigerian athletes in the diaspora, pledging to provide an enabling environment that will encourage talented sportsmen and women of Nigerian descent to represent the country on the global stage.
The assurance was given by the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) during the maiden Nigeria Diaspora Talents Development Committee (NDTDC) Multi-Sport Event held at the Hertfordshire Games Village in the United Kingdom.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, applauded diaspora athletes who have chosen to pledge their international allegiance to Nigeria, describing their decision as a patriotic sacrifice deserving of national support.
He assured the athletes that every Nigerian, regardless of where they reside, has the opportunity to represent the country, adding that the Commission is determined to ensure Nigerian talents are no longer lost to foreign nations.
Dikko lamented that Nigeria had previously missed out on world-class footballers such as Michael Olise, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, noting that the current diaspora initiative was designed to prevent similar losses in the future. He praised the Nigeria Diaspora Talents Development Committee, led by Dr. Tunde Adelakun, for successfully organising the maiden event.
Drawing inspiration from Morocco’s success in international football, the NSC Chairman said the North African nation had benefited immensely from effectively integrating diaspora-born players into its national teams, a model Nigeria intends to emulate.
He explained that the diaspora programme forms part of the Commission’s broader grassroots sports development strategy, alongside initiatives such as the Invited Junior Athletes programme introduced as the “38th State” at the National Sports Festival. According to him, diaspora athletes could eventually become the “39th State” at future editions of the festival.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to identifying and nurturing athletes of Nigerian origin worldwide.
He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had mandated the Commission to scout Nigerian talents across the globe, stressing that the country possesses the resources to support athletes from youth development through elite competition.
Olopade encouraged young athletes to seize the opportunity presented by the initiative, assuring them that Nigeria would continue to stand by its citizens regardless of where they were born or raised.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, described sports as one of the strongest forces for national unity and an important instrument of diplomacy.
He commended the initiative and pledged the support of the High Commission for future programmes aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s sporting fortunes.
Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Talents Development Committee, Dr. Tunde Adelakun, expressed appreciation to the National Sports Commission for entrusting the committee with the responsibility of discovering and developing Nigerian talents abroad.
He said the initiative would help reverse years of losing gifted athletes to other countries and provide a structured pathway for diaspora athletes to contribute to Nigeria’s sporting success.
The event also attracted notable Nigerian sports icons, including Olympic gold medallist Chioma Ajunwa, former D’Tigress captain and NDTDC Vice-Chairman Dr. Sarah Ogoke, seven-time Olympian Funke Oshonaike, and former Super Eagles stars Seyi Olofinjana and Carl Ikeme, who mentored the young participants and shared experiences on succeeding at the highest level.
The multi-sport event featured football, basketball, netball, golf, table tennis and taekwondo. Team Nigeria Diaspora’s junior netball team defeated Pakistan 33–13, while the diaspora basketball team recorded a convincing 62–47 victory over a Hatfield selected side, highlighting the depth of Nigerian talent abroad.
