Dikko: NSC plans to set up the six centers of excellence across the six geopolitical zones
As part of its commitment towards reviving schools’ sports, the National Sports Commission plans to evolve six tertiary institutions designated as centers of sporting excellence.
This formed the crux of further strategic engagements NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko had with a delegation of Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) led by its President Bawa Mohammed.
It will be recalled that there was an earlier meeting in November 2024 where the Chairman highlighted his plans to revive NUGA, in particular, and schools’ sports, in general.
After critical meetings with the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa and a properly defined roadmap to this effect, further engagements with NUGA aimed at straightening those positions and getting all stakeholders aligned to the vision became imperative.
Speaking after the meeting, the NSC Chairman reiterated the Commission’s resolve to strengthen the nation’s conveyor belt of talents.
His words, “University undergraduates contributed 38% of the medals won at the last Olympics in Paris, so we have to make sure that our universities are in a position where they can consistently churn out quality talents.
‘Schools’ sports and the NUGA Games are part of our priorities, and we are not looking back. We are trying to work out the modalities for setting up the six centers of excellence across the six geopolitical zones.
‘Mr. President is committed to grassroots sports development and schools’ sports is a major driver of this process.”
Key takeaways from the meeting are plans to explore setting up Tertiary Institutions Sports Federations to be the focal point for advancing and coordinating tertiary institutions sports; strengthening the school sports unit at the NSC for optimal delivery; preparations for the upcoming NUGA games to be hosted by University of Jos in April 2025; strategies to ensure all universities and Vice Chancellors align to make NUGA sustainable and other critical issues aimed at bringing back the glory days of schools sports.
