Sports Development Funding in Nigeria: The Role of Federal Government and the Private Sector.

Abstract

This research project traces the evolution of sports in Nigeria from colonial times to date and within this framework, the focus and emphasis has been the sources and mode of funding. The project then draws a correlation between the funding of sports and sports development in Nigeria especially within the context of the Olympic movement. To undertake this research, data was gathered and analysed. Three methods were utilised for data gathering. Primary data was obtained from Questionnaires and unstructured interviews. Secondary data was obtained from relevant documents mainly published and unpublished works, the internet and articles in the media. The participant as a sports enthusiast and a participant in the industry made observations for the purpose of corroborating both the primary and secondary data. Tables were used for data presentation while percentages and averages were used for data analysis. Using the data analysed, the research found that government predominantly funds sports in Nigeria. For instance, the analysis of respondent associations reveals that government funding is the largest followed by the private sector, International Sporting Organisations and others. This becomes massively tilted towards government funding when governments funding of sporting facilities is considered. Data also shows that both the government and private sector interventions tend to be unduly skewed towards football to the neglect of other competitive sports from which the country could have earned more laurels than football. In order to get the expected outcomes in future and given the governments often stated intention to reduce its funding of sport the research recommends an approach to sports development which seeks to widen the sources of funding as well as putting the private sector at the forefront of sports administration, sponsorship, development and the maintenance of sporting infrastructure, while government will, however, continue to provide the broad policy guidelines. This approach has worked in several countries and if properly implemented will work in Nigeria.