The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Federal Ministry of Education have unveiled the National Sports and Education Excellence Programme (N-SEEP), an ambitious initiative designed to combine quality education with elite sports development and create a sustainable pathway for discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s sporting talents.

The programme will establish Sports and Education Centres of Excellence across nine tertiary institutions, integrating academic programmes with high-performance sports training, sports science and research.

NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko said N-SEEP was developed to address one of the longstanding challenges confronting talented young Nigerians who are often forced to choose between pursuing higher education and developing careers in elite sport.

“This is about creating a system where our young athletes do not have to sacrifice education to pursue sporting excellence or abandon their sporting potential in order to obtain an education. We are creating an ecosystem where both can thrive together,” Dikko said.

Dikko said the performances of Nigerian athletes at the recently concluded Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games further demonstrated the depth of sporting talent available in the country, stressing that the priority must now be to create structures capable of producing sustained success.

“We want success at major championships to become sustainable rather than occasional,” he added.

The NSC chairman also disclosed that discussions are ongoing with international football governing bodies, including FIFA and CAF, toward securing international accreditation and recognition for relevant sports education programmes under the initiative.

Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa described N-SEEP as part of the transformative reforms being pursued under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the programme would allow talented Nigerians to develop their sporting careers while obtaining internationally recognised qualifications.

“The future of sports lies not only in winning competitions, but in developing people through quality education,” Alausa said.

He added that the programme would help produce not only elite athletes but also coaches, sports scientists, physiotherapists, administrators, entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators who can contribute to the wider sports economy.

The nine institutions selected to host the National Sports and Education Centres of Excellence are the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Federal College of Education, Okene, Babcock University, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Benin, University of Jos, Muhammad Buhari University, Maiduguri, and Federal Polytechnic, Offa.

NSC Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade said the initiative represents a deliberate shift from measuring Nigeria’s sporting progress solely by the number of medals won at international competitions.

According to Olopade, N-SEEP will develop a broader ecosystem capable of producing athletes alongside the coaches, sports scientists, medical personnel, administrators and other professionals required to sustain a modern sporting industry.

“This is bigger than medals. We are building the human capital and institutional framework required for sustainable sporting excellence,” Olopade said.

Phase One of the programme will begin during the 2026/2027 academic session at four pioneer institutions: the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Federal College of Education, Okene, and Babcock University. The remaining institutions will be incorporated in subsequent phases.

The participating institutions are expected to develop specialised programmes covering areas such as coaching, sports medicine, sports science, sports technology and data analytics, sports business, facility management, event management and sports administration.

Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad also called for greater flexibility within the participating institutions to accommodate the demands of student-athletes, including flexible academic calendars and stronger collaboration between faculties.

The centres will combine academic instruction with high-performance training facilities and modern research infrastructure, creating an environment designed to develop both elite athletes and the professionals needed to support Nigeria’s growing sports industry.

Beyond competitive sport, N-SEEP is expected to strengthen youth development, promote discipline and teamwork, expand opportunities for young Nigerians and contribute to the use of sport as a tool for economic development and national cohesion.

With Phase One scheduled for the 2026/2027 academic session, the initiative represents a significant step towards creating a more structured pathway in which Nigerian athletes can pursue sporting excellence without having to sacrifice their education.

The post Nigeria Unveils N-SEEP to Unite Education and Elite Sports Development appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

This year’s edition of the annual Unicorn Sports Summer Camp will begin on August 3rd at Chrisland College, Idimu, Lagos and end on the 12th of same month, Sports247 reports.

READ ALSO: 4th Edition of Bavis Summer Camp Kicks Off in Ifo, Ogun State

Organisers disclosed that the primary aim of the camp is to develop young athletes both on and off the field, by providing a premium sports and leadership experience for them during their long holiday away from schools

The camp’s objectives also include giving athletic and technical growth, to deliver professional training, provide tactical development and serve fitness conditioning tailored for young athletes.

The project’s director of sports, Aina Joseph Babatunde disclosed further that the camp will also provide leadership and character building activities that will help the attendees cultivate vital life skills, while specifically promoting discipline, confidence, teamwork and excellence in every participant.

He added that other gains from the camp include career and growth exposure that will provide athletes with huge opportunities to advance their sporting journeys and safe premises to enhance concentration.

Other benefits of the camp are supportive atmosphere to foster high-standard learning, as well as well-structured environment that nurtures both athletic potential and character off the field.

Babatunde expatiated: “Participants will master modern training methods and tactical skills through video analysis and direct mentorship from foreign professional coaches.

“They will also gain rare, first hand visibility under international sports agents and scouts for potential professional and scholarship pathways.

“The camp also instills vital life skills, teaching teenagers to balance high-level sports discipline with academic, social and professional excellence.”

While also disclosing that participants will build lasting links and connections with a lot of other talented student-athletes from various schools across Lagos and environs, the project’s director added that this year’s camp fees have been highly subsidised by the organisers.

Babatunde stated that the company’s chairman, Adebayo Olusegun wants to encourage as many participants as possible and disclosed: “Our fees this year are as follow: boarding campers – ₦500,000; and day campers – ₦300,000 only.

“Parents are encouraged to register early, because spaces are strictly limited. To ensure quality training, proper supervision and the best development experience for every participant, each age category has a fixed number of players that will be accepted.

“Secure your child’s place early and give them the opportunity to learn, compete, grow, and shine in a truly world-class football environment.”

The post Unicorn Sports Summer Camp 2026 Starts At Chrisland College Idimu On August 3rd, With Leadership Training Opportunities  appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Coach Ashifat Sulyman, popularly known as “Brazil,” has praised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) CAF B-License Refresher Course, describing it as a valuable platform for enhancing coaching knowledge and modern football management skills.

The Kwara United coach spoke after successfully completing the six-day coaching programme held at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja from June 20 to 25, 2026.

Ashifat expressed gratitude to the management of Kwara United Football Club, led by Chairman Kumbi Titiloye, for sponsoring his participation in the course.

“I wish to thank and express my profound appreciation to the Chairman and Management of Kwara United Football Club for sponsoring me to the just concluded CAF B-License Refresher Course. This gesture is aimed at developing the club’s technical department,” he said.

The coach noted that the refresher programme provided participants with updated coaching methodologies, modern tactical approaches, player management techniques, and the latest developments in football coaching education.

According to him, the knowledge gained during the intensive training will contribute significantly to improving team performance and accelerating player development at Kwara United.

“The course exposed us to modern trends in football coaching and management. The experience will help us improve our methods, develop players better, and contribute positively to the growth of the club,” Ashifat added.

The CAF B-License Refresher Course, organized by the NFF, served as a capacity-building programme for elite coaches across Nigeria’s football leagues and national teams.

The programme was also designed as a screening pathway for coaches seeking admission into the CAF A-License Coaching Course scheduled to commence in August 2026.

The course was facilitated by NFF Head of Coaching Education, Dr. Terry Eguaoje, alongside experienced instructors including Augustine Eguavoen, Monday Odigie, and Edema Fuludu.

Ashifat emphasized that Kwara United’s investment in continuous education for its coaching staff demonstrates the club’s commitment to technical excellence and long-term development.

As preparations begin for the 2026/27 season, Kwara United will be looking to build on the lessons learned from the course as the Harmony Boys aim for a stronger campaign after narrowly avoiding relegation last season.

Key Gains from the CAF B-License Refresher Course

Updated coaching methodologies and best practices.

Modern tactical and technical football education.

Enhanced player development strategies.

Improved football management and leadership skills.

Exposure to current CAF coaching standards.

Opportunity to qualify for the upcoming CAF A-License programme.

Networking and knowledge-sharing among elite Nigerian coaches.

The post Coach Ashifat ‘Brazil’ Highlights Benefits of NFF CAF B-License Refresher Course After Abuja Programme first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Coach Ashifat ‘Brazil’ Highlights Benefits of NFF CAF B-License Refresher Course After Abuja Programme appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.