NSC and Education Ministry renew commitment to boost grassroots sports through Nigeria’s school system.
They reviewed progress on infrastructure, training, and competitions to develop young talent nationwide.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Federal Ministry of Education have reaffirmed their joint commitment to transforming grassroots and school sports across Nigeria, following a strategic review meeting held yesterday.
The Joint Sports and Education Committee, co-chaired by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Minister of State for Education Hon. Dr. Tunji Alausa, convened to assess ongoing reforms aimed at integrating sports development into the country’s education system.
At the meeting, a detailed progress report was presented, covering key milestones in sports infrastructure, policy formulation, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The report reflects the collaborative efforts of both ministries to align sports with educational priorities in a way that nurtures young talent while promoting physical well-being and academic excellence.
The Committee noted significant improvements in the rehabilitation of school sports facilities, the introduction of national sports curricula, and the training of physical education instructors across primary and secondary institutions.
Additionally, strides have been made in integrating sports into national school programs through structured inter-school competitions and scouting initiatives.
“This intersection of sports and education is critical to unlocking Nigeria’s youth potential,” said a committee official. “We’re not just building athletes; we’re shaping disciplined, healthy, and goal-driven citizens.”
The National Sports Commission and Education Ministry partnership is also focused on performance metrics, ensuring that sports investments are measurable and sustainable. Monitoring and evaluation frameworks are being established to track school participation rates, talent discovery pipelines, and long-term outcomes for student-athletes.
As the nation looks ahead to major continental youth competitions, including the ongoing African School Games in Algeria, this joint approach is seen as pivotal to building a pipeline of future sports champions from the school level upward.
