GLASGOW, SCOTLAND — Following Team Nigeria’s scintillating performances at the ongoing Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and global sportswear giant Puma are officially in talks to consolidate their relationship into a robust, long-term partnership.
This strategic move was unveiled during a World Press Conference held on Wednesday by the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, at the vibrant Team Nigeria Puma Afrobeat House in Glasgow.
Reflecting on the synergy between the two organizations, Hon. Olopade described Puma’s tenure as Team Nigeria’s official kit sponsor as immensely positive and progressive. He emphasized that the meticulous pre-tournament preparations enjoyed by the athletes were heavily bolstered by Puma’s unwavering support, prompting the Commission to seek a long-lasting collaboration ahead of future global showpieces, notably the Olympic Games.
“For us at the NSC, our intentions were deliberate from when we took over,” Olopade stated. “Looking at the entire gamut of sports, the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, gave us the mandate to create an ecosystem driven by the economies of sports. We are happy to have Puma by our side, who believed in us, and together we can achieve even more for Nigeria.”
The Director General further assured that the current NSC leadership, spearheaded by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and himself, will not rest on their laurels. He noted that the smooth execution of the Glasgow Games was the direct result of a proactive welfare package, ensuring that all athlete allowances, bonuses, and rewards were disbursed without delay. This proactive approach, he noted, is the new standard moving forward.
Olopade also paid tribute to the foundational work of former NSC Director Generals—Dr. Amos Adamu, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, and His Royal Majesty Alhassan Yakmut—stating that the current administration is determined to build upon their legacies and utilize the Commonwealth Games as a definitive stepping stone toward surpassing previous Olympic records.
The enthusiasm for this growing alliance is mutual. Ayo Amusan, CEO of PRL (the official partners of Puma in Nigeria), expressed immense excitement about the brand’s partnership with Team Nigeria and the promising future it holds. Echoing this sentiment, Puma’s Head of Team Sport, Bastien De Toledo, affirmed that this is merely the beginning of a fruitful journey, expressing deep confidence in the trajectory of Nigerian sports under the current NSC leadership.
The high-profile press conference attracted a host of key sporting figures, including Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) President Engr. Habu Gumel, National Institute for Sports (NIS) DG Philip Shuaibu, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President Tony Okowa, and Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) President Dr. Ibrahim Abdul.
They were joined by the former NSC Director Generals serving as Team Nigeria Ambassadors to the Games—Dr. Adamu, Hon. Elegbeleye, and HRM Yakmut—who all universally commended the progressive direction of Nigerian sports under the visionary leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade.
