The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disbursed approximately ₦300 million in quarterly training grants to 31 Nigerian elite athletes, providing an early boost to the country’s preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The latest disbursement marks another milestone in the Commission’s efforts to strengthen athletes’ welfare and ensure sustained preparations for major international competitions under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It is the fifth payment since the introduction of the quarterly training grants policy in 2025 through the NSC’s Elite and Podium Board, and the third disbursement in 2026.
With the latest payment, the Commission has now disbursed more than ₦1 billion in training grants to Nigerian elite athletes since the initiative was introduced.
The programme provides quarterly grants of $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000 to eligible athletes, depending on their performances and qualification under the scientific performance indicators established by the Elite and Podium Board.
The initiative has been welcomed by some of the country’s leading athletes, who have described it as a game changer in their preparations for international competitions, providing consistent financial support for their training needs.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the initiative reflected the Commission’s commitment to building a sustainable system for sporting success through deliberate investment in athletes.
“There are no accidental successes in sports. This is why the Commission has prioritised the welfare and wellbeing of our athletes as a critical part of our strategy for scientific podium success,” Olopade said.
He explained that the training grants were among the key mandates given to the Commission’s leadership by President Tinubu to ensure that Nigerian athletes receive the financial support needed to compete effectively at the highest level.
“I am particularly glad that we have been able to institute this athletes’ training grants policy because it is one of the core mandates Mr President gave to Mallam Shehu Dikko and me, to ensure that we put money in the pockets of Nigerian athletes and prepare them adequately for international competitions like the Olympics.”
“We can only get the best out of our athletes when we take care of them properly. By doing so, they will wear the Green and White of our country with pride and dignity. This is why Mr President has continued to support every policy we have introduced to revamp the sports sector,” he said.
Olopade added that sustained financial support would enable athletes to concentrate on their preparations without the distractions of financial uncertainty.
“Our athletes need this money to stay focused on their training so they are not distracted in their preparations for major competitions. And we must not forget that when we take care of our athletes, they will take care of the country with medals,” he added.
The impact of sustained investment in elite sports has also been reflected in Nigeria’s performances at international competitions, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where the country emerged as Africa’s leading nation.
The achievements of athletes such as Samuel Ogazi and Ezekiel Nathaniel, who set Nigerian national records in their respective events, further highlight the importance of sustained investment in elite sports development.
Team Nigeria’s impressive outing at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the country won 30 medals, also underscored the importance of consistent support for athletes.
The NSC said the training grants remain a central component of its strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s elite sports system, improve international competitiveness and deliver sustained podium success at major global competitions.
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