Joel Ajayi
The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has intensified efforts to promote gender inclusion in sports governance with the inauguration of a Sports Administration Course (SAC) targeted at former female athletes and women serving on National Sports Federation boards.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, NOC President, Engr. Habu Gumel, described the initiative as a strategic move to strengthen women’s roles in leadership and decision-making within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.
The programme, organised in collaboration with Olympic Solidarity, is designed to equip participants with essential knowledge in leadership, strategic planning, financial management, ethics, and organisational development.
Gumel noted that the course aligns with the global educational framework of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with content drawn from the IOC Sports Administration Course manual to ensure international standards and best practices.
“This course represents a significant step in our collective commitment to strengthening the role of women in sports leadership and governance in Nigeria,” he said, urging participants to actively engage, share experiences, and build networks that will enhance their impact in sports administration.
He further commended the facilitators, including IOC-certified course directors, as well as the organising team, for their dedication to delivering a high-quality programme that fosters professional growth and collaboration among women in sports.
In her remarks, President of the Former Female Athletes Association of Nigeria and President of the Netball Federation, Dr. Toyin Aluko, described the initiative as a major step toward closing the gender gap in sports leadership.
According to her, the course was conceived in response to the historically low participation of women in previous training programmes, stressing the need for a more inclusive and targeted approach.
“This initiative will empower women with the knowledge and confidence to take up leadership roles in coaching, administration, and decision-making within sports federations,” she said.
Dr. Aluko highlighted the importance of increasing the number of female coaches and administrators, noting that it would inspire more female athletes to transition into leadership roles after their active careers.
She also pointed to global progress in gender balance, particularly at the Olympic level, while urging sustained efforts locally to achieve at least 45 percent female representation in sports governance.
She commended ongoing reforms by the National Sports Commission aimed at improving female inclusion but stressed that more deliberate actions are needed to ensure balanced representation.
Emphasising the importance of education, Dr. Aluko encouraged female athletes to pursue academic qualifications to prepare for life beyond competition, noting that such empowerment opens doors to careers in coaching, administration, and public service.
She reaffirmed the NOC’s commitment to promoting gender-inclusive policies and programmes, calling on stakeholders to support efforts aimed at ensuring women play a central role in shaping the future of sports in Nigeria.
