Alausa, Sports Commission Launch National Programme to Transform Sports Education

Alausa, Sports Commission Launch National Programme to Transform Sports Education
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The Federal Government has launched the National Sports and Education Excellence Programme (N-SEEP), a new initiative aimed at integrating academic excellence with elite sports development to nurture globally competitive athletes while equipping them with professional skills for careers beyond active competition.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the programme, unveiled in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, is expected to establish Sports and Education Centres of Excellence across selected tertiary institutions as part of efforts to reposition sports as a catalyst for national development.

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Under the initiative, the government has selected nine tertiary institutions to host the centres, with the first phase of implementation scheduled to begin this year at the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Federal College of Education, Okene and Babcock University.

Other institutions selected for subsequent phases are the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Benin, University of Jos, Muhammad Buhari University, Maiduguri, and the Federal Polytechnic, Offa.

Speaking during the unveiling, Alausa described the programme as one of the Federal Government’s most ambitious reforms aimed at addressing the long-standing gap between education and sports development in Nigeria.

According to him, the initiative will ensure that talented young Nigerians no longer have to choose between pursuing academic excellence and building successful sporting careers.

“The future of sports lies not only in winning competitions but in developing people. Through this initiative, we are producing athletes who will also become coaches, sports scientists, physiotherapists, administrators, entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators,” the minister said.

He noted that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by investing in human capital capable of driving growth across Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.

Alausa said the establishment of Sports and Education Centres of Excellence would provide structured pathways for identifying and developing sporting talents from the basic education level through tertiary institutions while expanding opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.

He added that the initiative would also help reduce youth involvement in crime and other social vices by engaging students in structured sporting and academic activities.

The minister said the programme was designed to reduce the migration of talented Nigerian athletes abroad in search of better training and educational opportunities.

“For too long, many of our gifted athletes have sought opportunities abroad because we lacked a structured system that combines education with elite sports development. N-SEEP changes that narrative,” he said.

Alausa, Sports Commission Launch National Programme to Transform Sports Education

According to him, each participating institution will establish a Faculty of Sports Science offering internationally benchmarked programmes in sports medicine, rehabilitation, sports science, coaching, sports technology, data analytics, sports business, event management, facility management and sports administration.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the initiative as a landmark reform that would redefine the relationship between education and sports by enabling talented students to excel academically while pursuing sporting careers.

She advocated flexible academic calendars, continuous assessment and examination schedules that would accommodate the demands of elite athletes without compromising educational standards.

Also speaking, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the programme represents a defining moment in Nigeria’s quest to build a globally competitive sports industry anchored on education and innovation.

He disclosed that the commission is strengthening sports infrastructure in educational institutions and expanding coach education through the National Institute for Sports.

Dikko also revealed plans to establish Sports Centres of Excellence in Unity Schools, as well as state and private schools, to identify and nurture exceptional talents before they progress to tertiary institutions.

He further disclosed that the commission is engaging international sporting bodies, including FIFA and the Confederation of African Football, to secure global accreditation for sports-related academic programmes in Nigerian institutions.

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the initiative would move Nigeria beyond its traditional focus on winning medals by creating a sustainable pipeline of coaches, sports scientists, educators, researchers, technical officials and administrators needed to support a modern sports industry.

He said countries such as Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and China have successfully integrated education with athlete development, adding that Nigeria is now taking a similar approach.

According to the Federal Government, the programme will also promote research, innovation, entrepreneurship and private sector investment while creating employment opportunities and positioning sports as a major contributor to national economic growth.

Alausa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the programme through sustained investment and strategic partnerships, saying every talented Nigerian child should have the opportunity to learn, compete and excel regardless of background.