The National Institute for Sports (NIS) and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have entered into a partnership aimed at strengthening sports administration and professional training in Nigeria.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will see both institutions work together to train sports administrators and develop professionals for the management of the country’s sports sector.
The agreement covers National Diploma programmes, certificate courses and coaching development initiatives.
A major highlight of the partnership is the planned introduction of a degree programme in Sports Administration at UNIBEN, creating a new academic pathway for young Nigerians interested in careers within the sports industry.
Speaking during the engagement, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN commended the Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, for the reforms and progress recorded at the institute.
“The transformation at the National Institute for Sports under the leadership of the Director-General is remarkable and commendable. It shows a clear commitment to repositioning the Institute and strengthening sports education and professional development,” he said.
Shaibu said the partnership would help address gaps in sports administration by providing professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required to manage the sector effectively.
According to him, collaboration among institutions remains essential to national development and the growth of the sports industry.
He added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader vision for sustainable growth and human capital development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Sports administration plays a critical role in the development of the sector, covering areas such as grassroots sports development, talent identification, competition management and the administration of sporting organisations.
The partnership is expected to create opportunities for research, professional training and capacity building, while producing a new generation of sports administrators equipped to support the growth of Nigerian sports.
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