MINILS, DIRECTOR GENERAL, AREMU EULOGISES PRESIDENT TINUBU’ s Renewed Hope Sports Agenda, Hails Shehu Dikko Chairman National Sports Commission on Super Eagles Sterling Performance at CAF 2026
As Curtail falls on 2026 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday evening in Rabat, a sport enthusiast who also doubles as the Director General of the Premier Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies ( MINILS) Ilorin , Comrade Issa Aremu has attributed the “sterling performance” of the Super Eagles to the visionary Renewed Hope Sports Agenda initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024.
Nigeria concluded CAF 2026 campaign in Morocco with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over eight-time champions Egypt following a goalless draw in normal time on Saturday. Nigeria had featured 21 appearances (three times champions, five times runner-up and nine times third which more than double that of any other team in that position).
Speaking in Ilorin on Sunday, Comrade Aremu said Super Eagles’ “sterling performance even when shot of winning the tittle”, was a positive outcome of how President Tinubu prioritizes foot ball and sports in general under the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE).
Aremu who disclosed that he watched virtually all the games from the group stage as a matter of “patriotic commitment “ to Hail Nigeria as the national anthem demanded commended the President for providing the enabling environment especially the prompt payment of the footballers allowances as a motivation that spurred the players to attain the feat. “Footballers are nothing but struggling workers in uniforms. It’s great that Nigeria sport COMMISION promptly overcame the initial crisis of compensation to motivate the boys” he said
The Director General who is renown labour leader expressed gratitude to the players for uniting Nigerians around their excellent performances and serial deserved victories with their mercurial skills which endeared them to become number three in Africa “
He stressed that the gallant performance against the host country Morocco with its host advantage in particular clearly made a bold statement that Nigeria has the wherewithal to rule the World in the nearest future .
Aremu challenged the players to do more with renewed hope agenda of Tinubu administration by winning more laurels adding the skills exhibited in third place match against Egypt stood Nigeria out as potential winner of the World Cup
COMMENDS NSC UNDER DIKKO
The Director General hailed “the energy and organizational efforts” of the National Sports Commission (NSC) under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko to transform“ sports into a major economic driver, focusing on institutional reform, infrastructure, grassroots development, and private sector involvement to create jobs, generate revenue, and improve Nigeria’s global rating.
He said the key driver of super Eagles’ globally acknowledged feat is the improved Funding and Support with substantial budgetary allocations (over N78 billion in the 2025 budget for sports). Aremu said the lesson from Rabat is how Morocco uses the sport for infrastructure development adding that Nigeria was on the right track to position” sports as a significant contributor to GDP (targeting 3%), attracting foreign investment, generating jobs (aiming for 3 million), and earning foreign exchange.
