FG Unveils Sports-Education Programme to Produce World-Class Athletes, Create Jobs

The Federal Government has launched the National Sports and Education Excellence Programme (N-SEEP), a major initiative aimed at integrating education with elite sports development to produce world-class athletes, create employment opportunities and position sports as a catalyst for economic growth and national development.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, unveiled the programme in Abuja alongside the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, describing it as one of the most far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s education sector.

The initiative, developed through a joint committee of the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, will establish Sports and Education Centres of Excellence in selected tertiary institutions across the country.

Alausa said the programme was designed to bridge the long-standing gap between education and sports by enabling talented young Nigerians to pursue academic excellence alongside high-performance athletic careers.

He explained that beyond producing champions, the programme would develop professionals in sports science, coaching, physiotherapy, administration, research, entrepreneurship and innovation.

“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. We are investing in human capital that will continue to serve our nation long after competitive careers have ended,” he said.

The minister said the initiative would also help tackle youth unemployment, reduce crime and strengthen national unity by expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.

According to him, sports remains one of the fastest-growing industries globally, making it imperative for Nigeria to deliberately harness its economic potential.

“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. We are building world-class institutions where Nigerian talents can learn, train and succeed at home while earning globally recognised qualifications,” Alausa said.

He added that the programme would build the skilled workforce needed in sports medicine, rehabilitation, coaching, facility management, sports technology, event management, media, research and administration, while encouraging innovation and private sector investment.

The minister stressed that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s broader human capital development agenda and would contribute to improving national security by engaging youths productively and reducing their vulnerability to crime and other social vices.

Alausa also announced plans to establish eight Sports and Education Centres of Excellence nationwide, with implementation beginning this year in four federal institutions and one private university.

The institutions selected for the programme are the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Benin, University of Jos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Muhammad Buhari University, Maiduguri, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Federal College of Education, Okene and Babcock University.

He said the first phase would commence this year at the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Federal College of Education, Okene and Babcock University, while the remaining institutions would be brought on stream in subsequent phases.

Each participating institution, he disclosed, would establish a Faculty of Sports Science offering internationally benchmarked programmes in coaching, sports medicine and rehabilitation, sports science, sports technology, data analytics, sports business, facility management, event management and sports administration.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the programme as a landmark reform that would redefine the relationship between education and sports by ensuring that talented athletes excel academically while pursuing their sporting ambitions.

She advocated a flexible academic framework, including adaptable academic calendars, continuous assessment and examination schedules, to accommodate the demands of elite athletes.

Also speaking, NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, described the initiative as a defining moment in Nigeria’s drive to build a globally competitive sports industry anchored on education and innovation.

He said the commission was strengthening sports infrastructure in educational institutions while expanding coach education and professional certification through the National Institute for Sports.

Dikko also disclosed plans to establish specialised Sports Centres of Excellence in Unity Schools, state-owned and private schools to identify and nurture talents before they progress to participating tertiary institutions.

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

Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, said the programme would move Nigeria beyond the traditional pursuit of medals by creating a sustainable pipeline of coaches, sports scientists, educators, researchers, technical officials and administrators.

Drawing lessons from countries such as Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and China, Olopade said strong educational institutions had become the foundation of sporting success in those nations.

In his closing remarks, Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the full implementation of the initiative, describing it as a legacy project that would transform education, strengthen sports and empower future generations.

“The National Sports and Education Excellence Programme is more than a reform; it is a national investment in our future. We are building a system that will nurture talent, expand opportunities, strengthen our education sector, transform sports into an engine of economic growth, and produce responsible citizens who will contribute meaningfully to national development. Together, we will build a safer, stronger and more prosperous Nigeria through education and sports,” the minister said.