NIS Produces First Certified Marathon Medical Director, Shaibu Urges Stronger Collaboration By Raymond Enoch
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Philip Shaibu, has called for stronger inter-agency collaboration within Nigeria’s sports sector following a landmark achievement by the Institute’s Medical Director, Dr. Sam Ogbondeminu, who has become Nigeria’s first certified marathon race medical director.
Shaibu made the appeal during a media interactive session in Abuja, where he highlighted the importance of institutional synergy in advancing sports development. He said the milestone demonstrates what is possible when government agencies work together effectively, while also exposing gaps in coordination within the sector.
Dr. Ogbondeminu recently completed a rigorous international certification programme in Spain, a process that officially qualifies him as a marathon medical director under global standards. His achievement marks a significant step forward for Nigeria’s sports medicine capacity, particularly in the management of long-distance road races.
According to Shaibu, the success was made possible through collaboration with external partners, including the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the intervention of Lady Bianca Ojukwu, who facilitated visa arrangements for the training programme in Spain. He described their support as a practical example of how inter-agency cooperation can produce tangible results.
“This achievement is a clear reminder that when institutions work together, we can accomplish great things. Without that support system, this milestone may not have been possible,” Shaibu said.
However, the NIS boss expressed concern over what he described as limited institutional alignment between key sports bodies in the country, including the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). He noted that while each organization has distinct responsibilities, stronger coordination is essential for national sports development.
He explained that the NIS serves as both an academic and professional institution mandated to train, certify, and build capacity for athletes, coaches, and sports administrators across multiple disciplines.
“The NIS is central to sports development in Nigeria. We are not only training athletes but also certifying professionals who support the entire sports ecosystem. That role must be fully integrated into national planning,” he said.
Shaibu disclosed that despite repeated efforts, formal engagement between the NIS and some key agencies has been slow, though he acknowledged progress in ongoing collaboration with the NFF. He said discussions are already underway to align NIS coaching programmes with CAF B certification standards to ensure Nigerian coaches remain globally competitive.
“Our technical teams are working to ensure that NIS certifications align with international standards such as CAF B. This will enhance the global competitiveness of our graduates,” he added.
He also revealed plans to collaborate with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to support students of the Institute facing financial challenges. The initiative, he said, will ensure that no qualified student drops out due to lack of funding.
Shaibu reaffirmed his commitment to institutional reform, stressing that all sports agencies must operate as a unified system in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He emphasized that sports remain a powerful tool for youth engagement, national unity, and economic diversification.
In his remarks, Dr. Ogbondeminu recounted his journey to certification, explaining that the opportunity emerged after encouragement from Shaibu to serve as medical director for the Okpekpe International Road Race. He said the certification process involved a demanding three-stage programme in Madrid, Spain.
He noted that the process nearly faced setbacks due to logistical challenges but was eventually completed through support from race organizers and diplomatic intervention from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dr. Ogbondeminu expressed appreciation for the opportunity, describing the certification as a turning point for sports medicine in Nigeria. He said the development will enhance the country’s ability to safely host international road races with improved medical standards and emergency response systems.
Stakeholders say the achievement represents a broader shift in Nigeria’s sports ecosystem toward professionalism, local capacity development, and international alignment.
The interactive session ended with renewed calls for cooperation among sports institutions, with stakeholders agreeing that Nigeria’s sporting future will depend heavily on collaboration, innovation, and sustained investment in human capacity development.
