By Aderonke Ojo
The Nigeria Shooting Sport Federation (NSSF) has intensified efforts to make shooting more accessible to Nigerians as a sporting discipline, with the maiden National Defence College (NDC) Course 34 Graduation Shooting Competition serving as another milestone in its grassroots development programme.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the President of the NSSF, Commodore Shettima Mohammed Shagir, said the Federation was deliberately using competitions involving military institutions as a platform to introduce more Nigerians to shooting as a sport.
Commodore Shagir explained that the military was a natural starting point because of its longstanding familiarity with shooting, but stressed that the Federation’s ultimate objective was to broaden participation beyond the military and security community.
He recalled that the NSSF had recently organised the inaugural Nigerian Navy Shooting Tournament and had also introduced members of the press to the sport by giving them an opportunity to shoot under controlled conditions.
According to him, the Federation is working to correct the misconception that shooting is exclusively a military or security activity.
“Shooting is traditionally a sport,” he said, while emphasising that safety, discipline and strict compliance with established procedures are essential to responsible participation.
The NSSF President said the Federation’s grassroots engagement programme is being pursued in line with the broader sports-development agenda of the National Sports Commission and the Nigerian Olympic Committee.
He said the objective is to identify talents at domestic competitions, develop them through appropriate training and coaching, and create opportunities for them to participate in international competitions.
Commodore Shagir noted that such a structured pathway would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to compete in shooting at major international events, including the Olympic Games.
He commended the National Defence College for hosting the competition and expressed the Federation’s readiness to continue working with institutions and stakeholders to expand the sport’s reach across the country.
The NSSF said it would continue promoting shooting as a safe, disciplined and competitive sporting activity while supporting the identification and development of athletes capable of representing Nigeria on the international stage.
