FG Launches Joint Committee to Reposition School Sports as National Talent Pipeline

FG Launches Joint Committee to Reposition School Sports as National Talent Pipeline

In a landmark move aimed at revolutionising youth development and sports in Nigeria, the Federal Government has inaugurated a Joint Committee on Sports and Education, bringing together the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) to drive a renewed focus on school sports as a national talent pipeline.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the FME Headquarters in Abuja, marked a significant step towards integrating education and sports at the grassroots level. The new committee is tasked with designing and implementing a structured approach to talent discovery and development across Nigeria’s educational institutions.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasised the urgent need to create systems where young Nigerians can thrive both academically and athletically. “Through this program, and with the wisdom and coordination of this joint committee, we will ensure that every talented student-athlete has the opportunity to thrive — both in the classroom and on the field,” he said.

Citing data from the recent Paris Olympics, Dikko noted that 38% of medalists were student-athletes, further stressing the importance of supporting school sports to achieve international competitiveness.

The initiative includes plans to establish Sports Centres of Excellence across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, targeting primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The committee will also work on strengthening existing collegiate games like NUGA, NICEGA, NIPOGA, and others such as the Principal’s Cup and NSSF.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as “a defining moment for education and sports in Nigeria.” He said the integration of sports into education would not only produce champions but also nurture future leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers.

“Education is sports, and sports is education — there’s no delineation between both,” Dr. Alausa said. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership in revitalising the sports sector and for re-establishing the NSC. The Minister also commended the appointment of Mallam Dikko, describing him as a breath of fresh air in the sports administration landscape.

Minister of State for Education, Hon. Yusuf Sununu, echoed similar sentiments, noting the global best practices of developed nations whose sports talent is often discovered through school systems.

The committee, co-chaired by Dr. Alausa and Mallam Dikko, comprises senior officials from both the NSC and FME, as well as private sector experts such as Dr. Julius Oni, a renowned orthopedic surgeon and academic at Johns Hopkins University, and Babatunde Ogunade, Vice President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.

The committee’s secretariat will be domiciled at the NSC and will coordinate activities, policy planning, and collaboration among agencies. The NSC and FME have jointly called on all stakeholders — including state governments, institutions, and the private sector — to support the initiative.

“The future of Nigeria’s youth — and its place on the global sports and education stage — depends on it,” the statement concluded.

JUWON KOLADE