By Felix Khanoba
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has launched the National Sports and Education Excellence Programme (N-SEEP), a nationwide initiative designed to integrate academic learning with elite sports development as part of efforts to strengthen national security, create employment opportunities and drive economic growth.
The initiative, unveiled in Abuja by the Minister alongside the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, will establish Sports and Education Centres of Excellence in selected tertiary institutions across the country.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the minister on Media and Communication, Ikharo Attah, on Wednesday, said the programme, developed through collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is expected to provide a structured pathway for identifying, nurturing and retaining sporting talents while equipping them with globally recognised academic qualifications and professional skills.
According to Alausa, the project will commence with centres in selected institutions before expanding nationwide, while structured sports development pathways will also be introduced gradually into basic and senior secondary schools.
Speaking at the unveiling, the minister described N-SEEP as a landmark reform that would transform the relationship between education and sports, while helping young Nigerians build successful careers beyond active competition.
“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.
Speaking further, the Lagos-born medical doctor and scholar said the initiative addresses a long-standing challenge that has forced many talented athletes to choose between pursuing higher education and developing their sporting careers.
“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,” he said.
The minister noted that the programme would produce professionals in sports medicine, rehabilitation, coaching, research, sports technology, facility management, event management, media and administration, while encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and private sector investment.
He added that expanding sports opportunities would promote discipline among young people, reduce crime and other social vices, strengthen national unity and position sports as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy.
Alausa commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission and members of the technical committee for driving the initiative, while also thanking President Tinubu for supporting reforms in the education sector.
On her part, Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described N-SEEP as a major reform that would enable gifted athletes to pursue academic excellence without sacrificing their sporting ambitions.
She advocated flexible academic calendars and assessment systems that would accommodate elite athletes and improve learning outcomes.
Also speaking, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko said the programme marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to build a globally competitive sports industry anchored on education, innovation and strategic partnerships.
He disclosed that the Commission is upgrading sports infrastructure in educational institutions, strengthening coach education through the National Institute for Sports and engaging international organisations, including FIFA and CAF, to secure global accreditation for sports-related academic programmes.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, described the initiative as one of Nigeria’s most strategic reforms, saying it would create a sustainable pipeline of coaches, researchers, sports scientists and administrators needed to support a modern sports industry.
As part of the rollout, the Federal Government announced that nine tertiary institutions have been selected to host the Sports and Education Centres of Excellence. They include 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.
The first phase of implementation will begin this year at the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Federal College of Education, Okene and Babcock University, while the remaining institutions will join in subsequent phases.
Each participating institution will establish a Faculty of Sports Science offering internationally benchmarked programmes in coaching, sports medicine, rehabilitation, sports science, research, sports technology, data analytics, sports business, facility management, event management and sports administration.
