President Bola Tinubu has appointed Bukola Olawale Olopade as the new Director-General of the National Sports Commission, signaling a significant step towards revitalizing Nigerian sports.
With a proven track record in sports administration, marketing, and development, Olopade is expected to bring transformative leadership to Nigeria’s sports sector.
Olawale Olopade’s journey in sports is a story of vision and impact. After serving as the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development until 2011, he launched 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.
Not stopping there, 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.
Furthermore, 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 comes as Nigeria seeks to build a more robust and sustainable sports ecosystem.
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.
President Tinubu’s decision to entrust Olopade with this critical role is part of a larger strategy to professionalize and develop various sectors.
Alongside Olopade, President Tinubu also appointed 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.
Olopade’s proven track record as a leader, visionary, and marketer underscores his potential to steer Nigerian sports towards a brighter, globally recognized future.
