Bola Babarinde, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in South Africa, has urged the federal government to deploy sports infrastructure as a strategic economic tool to tackle Nigeria’s youth unemployment.

Mr Babarinde, who is the chairman of Renewed Hope Global, South Africa chapter, in a statement on Sunday in Lagos, said Nigeria’s unemployment crisis demands bold, results-driven leadership.

He said sports could rapidly generate mass employment if treated as an industry supported by good governance.

Mr Babarinde noted that Nigeria was losing billions of naira yearly from sports tourism, development and entertainment due to weak administration.

According to him, the failure stems from poor focus, limited expertise and absence of technical capacity in sports governance.

“Nigeria stands at a defining crossroads where leadership must move beyond explanations and embrace bold, results-driven action.

“Mr President, the alarming rate of unemployment in Nigeria may not be a problem created by your administration, but it is one that history will hold you accountable for resolving,” he said.

Mr Babarinde contrasted Nigeria’s sports decline with Morocco’s deliberate investments in FIFA-graded stadia, noting that Morocco’s facilities reflected professionalism and recognition of sports as an economic asset.

He lamented that Nigeria could barely boast of one functional international-standard stadium, describing the National Stadium, Lagos, and Abuja National Stadium as symbols of neglect and waste.

Mr Babarinde cited countries, such as the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany and the United States as models of sports-driven employment, saying, “those nations manage sports with professionalism and near-zero tolerance for corruption.”

“Morocco’s success did not happen by accident. The number of FIFA-graded stadia there tells a story of deliberate planning and professionalism.

“In contrast, Nigeria can barely boast of one functional international-standard stadium.”

He proposed the adoption of stadia by corporations and wealthy individuals through transparent public-private partnerships.

Mr Babarinde cited the National Arts Theatre rehabilitation by Nigerian banks as evidence that collaboration works, and questioned why similar models had not been applied to sports infrastructure nationwide.

He called for the adoption of emerging sports, including catchball, to empower youths and the girl child.

Mr Babarinde praised grassroots initiatives like the DAM Foundation basketball programme in Kogi State, saying such efforts should be embedded into national and state sports policies.

The APC chieftain stressed that sports offer Nigeria one of the fastest routes to job creation and social cohesion.

Mr added that Nigeria could no longer afford to waste its sporting and economic potential. 

(NAN)