Segun Odegbami has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s administration as the most supportive of sports since 1979.
He urged Nigeria to harness sports for national growth while backing the 2030 Commonwealth Games bid.
Former Green Eagles captain and sports administrator, Segun Odegbami, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to sports development, describing his administration as the most supportive since 1979.
Speaking at The Platform Lagos, a thought-leadership forum themed “Rebuilding Our Nation”, Odegbami noted that sports have a unique power to unite the country and impact every sector of development.
He said Nigeria’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games was a positive step, stressing that sports should be treated as a serious tool for national growth. “The power in it is almost spiritual. When a goal is scored, it is just a goal, but the whole country celebrates as if it’s a victory for everyone. That is power we must convert into something positive,” he remarked.
Odegbami, who won the 1980 AFCON with Nigeria, explained that sports go beyond entertainment, influencing health, agriculture, engineering, law, and the media. However, he lamented that Nigeria had yet to fully harness this potential.
Reflecting on the country’s preparations for international competitions, he acknowledged past mistakes such as excessive spending on the 2003 African Games but expressed optimism under Tinubu’s leadership. He praised the president for investing more money into sports than any of his predecessors and for appointing young leaders like Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade to drive reforms.
He said if a proper board made up of respected Nigerians is established, the 2030 Commonwealth Games could create unprecedented opportunities for the country.
Beyond sports, Odegbami also spoke on Nigeria’s potential, urging citizens to believe in the country’s ability to lead Africa and the world. “Nigeria could be the greatest country in the world. Afro musicians are dominating the world, and the future belongs to Africa. We must believe it can be done,” he declared.
As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, he called on fans to rally behind the Super Eagles ahead of their World Cup qualifiers. “It is unthinkable that in the past two years we have produced the two greatest players in Africa, yet we cannot qualify for the World Cup. Let’s support the Super Eagles. Let’s believe in them,” he urged.
