President Bola Tinubu has appointed Olawale Olopade as the new Director-General of the National Sports Commission.
The announcement was made Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) Bayo Onanuga.
Olopade was born in Ughelli, Delta State, where he developed strong roots in Nigeria’s oil-rich regions, influenced by his father’s role with Shell Petroleum Development.
Olopade’s political and public service journey included a significant role as Ogun State’s Commissioner of Youth and Sports under Governor Gbenga Daniel.
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He further demonstrated his leadership as chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2024 National Sports Festival.
Additionally, he ventured into football, founding Nilayo Football Club, which competed in the Nigeria National League (NNL).
He became a major figure in Nigerian sports sponsorship, securing crucial investments for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from corporate giants.
His efforts led to a landmark partnership with Stanbic-IBTC, offering group life assurance for national team players valued at N1.75 billion, along with a N400 million sponsorship from Premier Lotto (Baba Ijebu).
Olopade’s marketing expertise also attracted MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom company, with a N500 million sponsorship, and Air Peace, which contributed over N300 million as the official airline sponsor for Nigerian teams.
Olopade also served as Vice President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Africa and President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation.
Known for organizing top-tier events, he pioneered the Access Bank-sponsored Lagos City Marathon, the Abeokuta Marathon 10km race, and the Remo Ultra-Race, cementing his legacy as a leader in Nigerian sports and events management.
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