NOC Launches IOC-Backed Gender-Inclusive Governance Course in Abuja
The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) is set to host an advanced gender-inclusive governance course in Abuja, supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Solidarity.
Scheduled for March 23 to 25 at the Media Centre, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, the three-day programme represents a strategic step in aligning Nigeria’s sports governance with global standards.
Designed specifically for former female athletes and women currently serving on the boards of national sports federations, the course underscores the NOC’s commitment to strengthening governance structures, promoting inclusive leadership, and enhancing institutional effectiveness across the country’s sports ecosystem.
The programme will be officially opened by NOC President Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, who emphasized that sustainable sports development depends on transparent, accountable, and inclusive frameworks.
He noted that investing in the capacity of women leaders is central to institutional reform, ensuring compliance with international standards and reinforcing the foundation for long-term growth.
Delivered under the IOC’s global educational framework, the curriculum is based on the IOC Sports Administration Course manual. Participants will receive internationally recognized training in governance reform, strategic planning, financial oversight, ethical leadership, safeguarding principles, and policy implementation.
Beyond technical instruction, the initiative also serves as a platform for mentorship and peer collaboration, cultivating a network of women leaders equipped to drive institutional reforms and strategic growth within their federations.
The NOC reaffirmed its dedication to aligning national sports governance with evolving international benchmarks, pledging to foster collaboration with government agencies and stakeholders to ensure measurable progress in board diversity and leadership effectiveness.
The initiative is expected to deliver tangible impacts, including strengthened institutional oversight and greater participation of women in high-level decision-making roles across Nigerian sport.
