Nigerian president appoints new sports chief

Nigeria's outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of Al-Hassan Yakmut as the substantive director-general of the National Sports Commission (NSC), a top official said.

Minister of Sports Tammy Danagogo said in a statement reaching Xinhua that the confirmation was conveyed to him through a letter dated May 12, 2015, Xinhua reported.

The appointment takes immediate effect, he added.

Yakmut was the director in charge of Federations and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), until April 15 when he was appointed the commission's acting director-general.

He replaced Gbenga Elegbeleye who came into office over a year ago.