FG To Establish Sports Centers of Excellence In Tertiary, Unity Schools Across Nigeria
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
In a bid to reshape grassroots sports in Nigeria, the Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, and Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Alausa, have held a strategic meeting to strengthen collaboration between education and sports.
The discussions emphasised revitalising school sports as a foundation for talent discovery and development.
Dikko highlighted the success of student-athletes who contributed 38% of Nigeria’s medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as evidence of the untapped potential in schools.
Key initiatives include establishing Sports Centers of Excellence in tertiary institutions and Unity Schools across the country equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, scholarships, and technical support.
They also agreed that a nationwide grassroots sports programme will also integrate primary and secondary schools with local government involvement.
The collaboration seeks to attract private sector investment and donor support, with plans to create a National Sports Development Fund for sustainable financing.
The joint efforts will also revitalise national competitions like the Principal’s Cup and NUGA Games.
To solidify the strategy, the Minister has invited Dikko to address university leaders in January 2025.
“This partnership is pivotal to building a robust sports ecosystem, empowering youth, and driving national development,” Dikko stated.
This alliance aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, marking a new era for sports and education in Nigeria.
