As fireworks lit up the Lagos skyline to welcome 2025, prominent basketball promoter and former D’Tigers player Igoche Mark sat in his Ikoyi home reflecting on what could be the most significant moment in Nigerian sports history in decades. In an exclusive New Year message released on Tuesday, Mark described the Federal Government’s allocation of over ₦78 billion to sports development in the 2025 budget as “a new dawn” that could finally transform Nigeria from a sleeping giant into a continental powerhouse.
Speaking passionately, the man who has invested millions into grassroots basketball over the years thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the National Sports Commission (NSC) and for the massive budget jump from the meagre ₦31 billion of 2024.
“For too long we have complained about lack of funds, poor infrastructure and leadership crises,” Mark said. “Now the money is there, ₦78 billion is not small change. The question is: will we use it wisely or watch it disappear like previous allocations?”
Mark, who has been vocal about federation infighting, urged the new NSC chairman to immediately audit all federations and demand accountability. He singled out the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) as areas that must change.
“We have the talents like Victor Osimhen, Tobi Amusan, D’Tigress stars, but we keep shooting ourselves in the foot with politics,” he added.
The budget, part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, includes provisions for grassroots development, international competitions, infrastructure upgrades and athlete welfare. Mark called on private sector players like himself to partner with the government. “I am ready to put in my own money if I see transparency. This is not time for business as usual.”
Fans on social media reacted with cautious optimism. Many remembered how past budgets were announced with fanfare but yielded little. A Twitter user @EaglesFanatic wrote: “₦78bn sounds sweet but let’s see how many kobo actually reaches the athletes.” Mark ended his message with a challenge to young athletes: “2025 is your year. The government has shown up, now it’s your turn to make Nigeria proud.”
The sports community will be watching closely in the coming weeks as the NSC begins operations. For the first time in many years, there is genuine hope that Nigerian sports might finally get the funding and structure it deserves.
