Tinubu Appoints Olawale Olopade As Director-General Of National Sports Commission
By: Damilola Philips
As part of efforts towards engaging high profile individuals and technocrats into key offices in his government, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Olawale Olopade as the new Director-General of the National Sports Commission, signaling a significant step towards revitalizing Nigerian sports.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the newly appointed Director General had earlier served as the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development before proceeding to launch Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a company that has since become a powerhouse in Nigerian sports marketing.
One of his landmark achievements is the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, now in its ninth year, which has secured a World Athletics Gold Label status—making it one of only two Gold Label races in Africa.
This recognition has put Nigeria in the global sporting spotlight, drawing thousands of international participants and showcasing Lagos as a hub for major athletic events.
It is on records that Olopade initiated the Abeokuta 10km Race in 2019 and the Remo Ultra Race, events that have significantly elevated the sports scene in Ogun State.
These competitions have also bolstered the local economy and highlighted the tourism potential of hosting cities, attracting athletes and visitors from diverse backgrounds.
His company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, recently secured multi-billion naira contracts to establish the Abuja City International Marathon, promising to further enhance Nigeria’s reputation in global athletics.
Olopade’s influence extends beyond athletics. He has ventured into football, once owning Nilayo Football Club, which competed in the Nigeria National League (NNL).
As a dynamic sports marketer, Olopade played a pivotal role in securing major sponsorships for Nigerian football. Under his guidance, Nilayo Sports Management facilitated partnerships between the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and leading corporations.
This included bringing Stanbic-IBTC on board to provide life assurance coverage worth N1.75 billion for the national team, and facilitating a N400 million sponsorship agreement with Premier Lotto.
Similarly, he secured a N500 million sponsorship deal with MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecoms company, and an over N300 million agreement with Air Peace to become the official airline sponsor of the national teams.
Olopade’s appointment as Director-General is coming at a time when Nigerians are calling for a rejig of the country's sports sector to a place of pride among the comity of sporting nations.
His vast experience in organizing high-profile sports events and securing corporate sponsorships aligns with President Tinubu’s ambition to elevate the standards of Nigerian sports.
OTN News gathered that President Tinubu’s decision to entrust Olopade with this critical role is part of a larger strategy to professionalize and develop various sectors.
Meanwhile, Olopade's appointment by President Tinubu came at the same time with the appointment of other technocrats such as:
Dr. Abisoye Fagade, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, and Daniel Bwala to key roles, emphasizing the administration’s focus on excellence and national growth across different domains.
OTN News reports that a cross section of Nigerians who have commented on Olopade's appointment have commended President Tinubu for putting a round peg in a round hole, appointment the right man for the right job given the proven track record of Olopade as a renowned sports marketer and promoter.
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