NSC, Bodybuilding Federation Partnership for Sport Growth

By Sani Yakubu, Kaduna

The National Sports Commission and the Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation of Nigeria are collaborating to promote fitness and expand the sport of bodybuilding in Nigeria.

The National Sports Commission has promised closer cooperation with the Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation of Nigeria as part of efforts to expand bodybuilding and fitness development across the country.

The commitment was made on Friday in Abuja when a delegation from the federation, led by its president, Soye Elekima, paid a courtesy visit to the commission.

Speaking during the meeting, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko said the commission was prepared to work more closely with the federation to strengthen the sport from the grassroots to the professional stage.

He explained that the partnership would focus on discovering young talents, improving training facilities, and raising the quality of competitions across the country. According to him, the collaboration is also expected to create a stronger pathway for athletes to progress from local contests to the international stage.

Dikko said the commission would support the development of national teams and back programmes designed to improve the structure and organisation of bodybuilding championships in Nigeria. He added that introducing fitness initiatives at the school level would help nurture athletes early and build a sustainable future for the sport.

He stressed that Nigeria must begin to invest more seriously in fitness and talent development if it hopes to compete favourably on the global stage.

The NSC chairman also raised concern over the need to properly regulate gyms and fitness centres across the country, saying the move had become necessary to prevent avoidable accidents and ensure that fitness instructors are professionally certified.

According to him, the visit by the federation came at a critical moment when issues of safety, professionalism and standardisation in the fitness industry require urgent attention.

Dikko further pledged support for key programmes proposed by the federation, including the ShapeUp Nigeria 30×30 Fitness Challenge, an initiative aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles and helping to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases among Nigerians.

As part of the proposed partnership, both bodies are expected to collaborate on logistics, competition support and prize sponsorship to improve the standard of national bodybuilding events.

The plan also includes specialised workshops and training sessions for junior and elite athletes between the ages of six and 21, as well as technical development programmes for coaches across the country.

Officials said the initiative would help prepare both male and female athletes for regional and international competitions while also deepening technical knowledge within the sport.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the induction of Dikko into the World Fitness Sheriffs Department as Grand Commander, in recognition of his support for fitness advocacy and sports development.

The body also announced that the last Saturday of every month would now be observed as “Keep Fit Day”, a move aimed at promoting public awareness about physical health and wellness.

Earlier, Elekima said Nigeria was prepared to host international events under the IFBB Fitness and Bodybuilding League, as well as other major competitions that could place the country on the global bodybuilding map.

He said hosting such events would not only elevate the sport locally but also stimulate economic activity, generate jobs and attract foreign attention and investment into Nigeria’s sports and wellness sector.

Elekima expressed optimism that with the support of the NSC, Nigeria could emerge as a major destination for bodybuilding and fitness development in Africa and beyond.