The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has lauded the leadership of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) under Dr. Zacch Adedeji for its support to sports development in the country.
Olopade gave the commendation during a visit to the FIRS headquarters in Abuja, highlighting FIRS as one of the key partners of the upcoming CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships scheduled to hold in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to Olopade, Dr. Zacch Adedeji is not just a reformist in the tax administration space, but also a passionate lover of sports.
A statement on Friday by Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media, Office of the Director General at NSC, said: “The partnership between the NSC and FIRS is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of sports development in Nigeria.”
The CAA U18/U20 Championships will host athletes from about 50 African nations and is expected to be a defining moment in Nigeria’s athletics history.
The event is powered by public-private partnerships championed under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Olopade said the growing intersection between taxation and national development, especially in the area of sports, when properly funded and strategically positioned, can generate jobs, contribute to the nation’s economy, and promote unity.
“There is a natural synergy between taxation and sports,” Olopade noted, adding “Taxes fund infrastructure, education, and now—more importantly—grassroots and elite sports development.
“This partnership with FIRS demonstrates how a forward-thinking tax institution can catalyze social impact beyond revenue generation.”
The NSC DG called for a more formalized and enduring working relationship between the NSC and FIRS to support long-term sports development strategies, athlete welfare, and infrastructure investment.
“Sports development is no longer just a recreational agenda—it is an economic, health, and diplomatic tool. And institutions like the FIRS have a critical role to play in this vision,” Olopade added.
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