NIS, UNIBEN Partner To Train Sports Administrators

The National Institute for Sports (NIS) and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have strengthened their partnership to promote professional training and capacity development in sports administration in Nigeria.

The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, provides for collaboration between both institutions in training professionals who will play key roles in the administration and management of sports in the country. The collaboration also covers academic and professional programmes, including National Diploma courses, certificate programmes and coaching programmes.

A major component of the partnership is the commencement of a degree programme in Sports Administration at the University of Benin, providing an academic pathway for young Nigerians seeking professional careers in the sports industry.

Speaking during the engagement, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin commended the Director-General of NIS, H.E. Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, for the transformation taking place 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.”

The Director-General, in his remarks, emphasised the importance of collaboration among institutions in driving national development. He said the partnership with UNIBEN would help bridge existing gaps in sports administration by equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage the sector.

He further noted that partnerships such as the one between NIS and UNIBEN align with the administration’s vision of sustainable growth and nation-building under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Beyond activities on the field, effective administration remains critical to the development of sports, from grassroots development and talent identification to the management of sports organisations, competitions and athletes.

The NIS-UNIBEN collaboration is therefore expected to contribute to the development of a new generation of trained sports administrators while creating opportunities for research, professional training and capacity building.

The partnership further reinforces the commitment of both institutions to promoting excellence in sports education, research, administration and athlete development through sustained institutional collaboration.