Nigeria Sports Commission Backs Bodybuilding Development
Last update: March 27, 2026
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NSC nationwide partnership to promote bodybuilding in Nigeria..
Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) has pledged closer collaboration with the country’s bodybuilding federation to boost talent development and strengthen the sport nationwide, its chairman Shehu Dikko said on Friday.
Dikko made the remarks during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation of Nigeria (ABBFN), led by its president Soye Elekima, who outlined the federation’s growth strategy.
The NSC chairman said the partnership would focus on talent identification, upgrading training facilities and improving competition standards across all levels.
He added that the commission would support national teams and organise workshops to strengthen championship structures, while also promoting school-level fitness programmes to build athletes from an early age.
“We are committed to building pathways from grassroots to elite levels for global competitiveness,” Dikko said.
He also stressed the need to regulate gyms nationwide to curb safety risks and ensure proper certification of fitness instructors, noting that the visit came at a crucial time to improve professionalism in the sector.
Dikko pledged support for initiatives such as the ShapeUp Nigeria 30×30 Fitness Challenge, aimed at reducing non-communicable diseases and promoting healthier lifestyles.
The collaboration will include logistical support and prize funding for competitions, as well as elite and junior training workshops targeting athletes aged six to 21.
Capacity-building programmes for coaches are also planned to enhance technical expertise, while efforts will be made to develop both male and female athletes for regional and international competitions.
A highlight of the meeting was Dikko’s induction into the World Fitness Sheriffs Department as Grand Commander, while the body also declared “Keep Fit” for observance on the last Saturday of every month to promote health awareness.
Elekima said Nigeria was ready to host international bodybuilding events, including IFBB Fitness and Bodybuilding League competitions, adding that such events could boost economic growth, create jobs and attract investment.
He said stronger support from the NSC would help position Nigeria as a leading bodybuilding hub in Africa and beyond.
