The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday inaugurated the Board of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund, urging members to mobilise resources to accelerate the growth of grassroots and school sports across the state.
The Board is chaired by former Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development and current President of the International Table Tennis Federation, Mr. Enitan Oshodi, while Mr. Olaposi Agunbiade will serve as Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer.
Other members include Messrs. Olabode Agoro, Adeniyi Adedokun Adekoya, Gbolahan Onibuje, Jubril Gawat, Lekan Fatodu, Moshood Ajide and Engr. Ibrahim Adigun, as well as Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa and Mrs. Olayemi Sarumi. Also on the Board are the Chairman of the Chairmen of Local Governments and LCDAs and the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at Lagos House, Marina, Governor Sanwo-Olu charged the Board to leverage its collective expertise, professional networks and private-sector reach to build a sustainable sports funding structure for the state.
“The mandate is straightforward,” the governor said. “Use your contacts, skills and professional backgrounds to support funding for sports and help establish robust institutions that will serve Lagos today and future generations.”
He emphasised the need to prioritise investment in grassroots and school sports programmes across the state’s divisions, noting that several government-funded sports facilities require completion, upgrade or improved management.
“There are facilities at different stages of completion, and others in need of improvement. The Fund can channel resources into these projects,” he added, stressing that the Trust Fund provides an avenue for private organisations willing to support sports development without dealing directly with government.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Oshodi, said the primary objective of the Fund is to create sustainable pathways for raising capital to support sports infrastructure and talent development.
While acknowledging the significant investment already made by the state government, Oshodi noted that the scale of a megacity like Lagos, with a population exceeding 20 million, demands broader financial participation.
“We need facilities to nurture the immense sporting talents in Lagos. The Lagos State Sports Commission is doing commendable work, but there is always room for private-sector collaboration,” he said.
Drawing parallels with global best practices, Oshodi pointed out that in leading sporting nations such as the United States, private-sector funding plays a central role in sports development.
“Our major target is private-sector support. With the calibre of individuals on this Board and the government’s commitment to prudent spending, we are confident of achieving quick wins in the short term while implementing a long-term strategy for sustainable sports development in Lagos,” he said.
