The Federal Government has unveiled the National Sports and Education Excellence Programme, N-SEEP, a landmark initiative to integrate quality education with elite sports development and position sports as a major driver of economic growth and national security.
The Independent Mirror reports that the programme was unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko.
Dr. Alausa described N-SEEP as one of the most transformative reforms in Nigeria’s education sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“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 stated in a statement by Attah Ikharo, Special Adviser on Media and Communications.
The Federal Government announced that nine tertiary institutions have been selected to host National Sports and Education Centres of Excellence, including:
University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Federal College of Education, Okene, Babcock University.
Others University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Benin, University of Jos, Muhammad Buhari University, Maiduguri and Federal Polytechnic, Offa.
It said that Phase 1 will commence this year at the University of Ibadan, ABU Zaria, FCE Okene and Babcock University, while the remaining centres will be rolled out in subsequent phases.
Each institution will establish a Faculty of Sports Science offering internationally benchmarked programmes in coaching, sports medicine, sports science, sports technology and data analytics, sports business, facility management, event management and sports administration.
While speaking the chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the programme aligns two national priorities by creating an ecosystem where athletes can access quality education and world-class training without leaving the country.
He disclosed plans for Sports Centres of Excellence in Unity Schools and engagements with FIFA and CAF to secure global accreditation for Nigerian sports programmes.
