LAGOS, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government Thursday called on private sector to take advantage of the country's conducive business environment and invest in sports development.

Minister for Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, who made the call in Lagos, the nation's economic hub, said there was need for the private sector in the country to key into the project to exploit the enormous benefits inherent in sports investment.

Dalung told reporters that sport had become a private-sector-driven entity globally, noting that the investment may not mature instantaneously, but it is an investment that once it matures can last for a very long time.

"Other climes in the world are taking advantage of investment in sports," he added.

"I give a very good example with the production of the Super Eagles jersey," he said, adding that the manufacturer of the jersey is in big trouble.

"He took the risk of investing in production, and today he is not only harvesting the gain, he also has developed a commercial goodwill and he cannot meet the demand from people that are asking for the jersey," the minister told reporters.

Dalung added that collaboration between the government and the private sector would go a long way toward promoting sports development in the country.

According to him, the development of sport should not be left entirely in the hands of government.