The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Olopade, has defended the achievements of Nigerian sports under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, questioning why the country's sporting successes are being overlooked because of the men's football team's failure to win major international competitions.

Speaking during an interview on Channels TV, Olopade responded to questions about Nigeria's disappointing performances in major football competitions, particularly the country's struggles to achieve success at the FIFA World Cup.

He argued that evaluating the country's sporting achievements based solely on football would be unfair, insisting that other sporting disciplines have also brought recognition and success to Nigeria.

According to him, the women's national team has continued to deliver important victories, including winning the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) under the Tinubu administration. He questioned whether the achievements of the women should be ignored simply because the men's team has not secured a similar continental title.

Emphasising his position, Olopade stated: “You and I do not live in a utopian world. You just spoke of AFCON under President Tinubu. WAFCON was won again by the women. Are you saying that because the men have not won, we cannot celebrate the women? Why are you fixated on football? Let us talk about sport.”

The sports administrator further disclosed that Nigeria sent representatives from 40 sports federations to international competitions abroad, where the country's athletes collectively secured 368 medals across different sporting disciplines. He also revealed that Nigeria hosted more than 12 international sporting competitions during the same period.

Olopade maintained that the commission's objective was to transform Nigeria from a country that primarily consumes international sporting activities into one capable of organising major competitions and producing outstanding athletes.

He also highlighted the achievements of sports often regarded as less popular, including scrabble, chess, athletics and volleyball. According to him, these disciplines have contributed significantly to Nigeria's sporting progress, while the country's women's beach volleyball team has already secured Olympic qualification.

Furthermore, Olopade disclosed that the National Sports Commission had recently fulfilled its reward commitments to the Super Falcons following their continental triumph. He stated that houses had been allocated and the promised financial rewards had been paid.

He therefore encouraged Nigerians to appreciate President Tinubu for honouring his commitment to the victorious players rather than overlooking the achievements recorded in other sporting areas.

Watch headline quotes from (00:23:41–00:23:53).: