Nigeria must stop running its sports sector on the whims of individuals and start building institutions that will endure beyond tenures and personalities.
That was the position of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, as the country celebrated 66 years of independence.
In a message to mark the anniversary on October 1, 2026, SWAN President, Mr Isaiah Benjamin, said it was time to treat sports as a core development asset capable of driving youth empowerment, job creation, economic expansion and national cohesion.
The message was released through the association’s Secretary General, Ambassador Ikenna Okonkwo.
Benjamin, who congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad, said the nation is blessed with enormous talent but lacks the solid framework required to convert that talent into consistent success.
He argued that progress in Nigerian sports has been stunted because programmes are often discarded whenever leadership changes, instead of being consolidated.
To reverse the trend, he advocated an all-inclusive model that brings athletes, coaches, federation officials, government, private sector players, ex-internationals and the media to the same table to design a shared blueprint.
The SWAN President also harped on grassroots development, insisting that schools and communities remain the most reliable pipelines for discovering future champions.
Beyond discovery, he said Nigeria must create a clear transition ladder that moves youngsters from local competitions to national and international stages, supported by standard facilities, competent coaches, reliable calendars and improved welfare.
He noted that talent identification without proper nurturing, protection and exposure would not produce world-class athletes, whether in football, athletics or other disciplines.
According to him, a well-structured sports economy can open doors to education, entrepreneurship and global opportunities for young people, while reducing youth restiveness.
Benjamin further urged authorities to sustain workable policies across administrations in order to entrench continuity and institutional memory, rather than starting afresh with every appointment.
He called for deeper partnership between government and private investors to fund and manage sports, and assured that SWAN would continue to contribute through credible and development-focused reportage.
He added that the association sees itself as a key stakeholder in the growth of Nigerian sports, committed to promoting accountability and highlighting achievements.
The SWAN President said the Independence anniversary offers a moment for sober reflection and renewed commitment to building a resilient sports system that serves athletes and outlives office holders, with the goal of bequeathing a stronger structure to the next generation.
