The former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has called for sports to be recognized as a central pillar of Nigeria’s national development plan, highlighting its potential as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and youth empowerment.

Speaking on Sunday at the University of Lagos during the launch of an autobiography by veteran sports journalist Mumini Alao, Fashola described sports as a solution “hiding in plain sight” to the nation’s high youth unemployment. He recalled how, during his time as minister, he had advocated for sports to be a key component of the 2017-2020 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) alongside infrastructure and agriculture.

“We must create proper governance frameworks that make it attractive for investors,” Fashola stated, emphasizing that with the right policies, the sports sector could fund itself. He called for the government to attract private investment through tax credits and import duty concessions. To illustrate a successful model, he cited Lagos State’s past sports calendar, which ran from March to December and engaged private sponsors. He also urged state governments to privatize their football clubs to ensure more efficient, business-oriented management.

Fashola also stressed the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s approach to sports. This includes a review of the educational curriculum from primary school to university, with a focus on developing specialized manpower and faculties for sports education. He further highlighted the importance of community-based sports facilities, stating that a good plan for sports development will naturally attract the necessary funding.

His remarks resonate with recent statements from President Bola Tinubu, who has also identified sports as a powerful tool for national integration and economic development. This growing consensus among key political figures and industry experts underscores a renewed national focus on leveraging the full potential of sports beyond mere entertainment.