The National Institute for Sports (NIS) and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have deepened their partnership to advance sports education, capacity building and athlete development in Nigeria.
The Director-General of NIS, Philip Shaibu, and the Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, reaffirmed the commitment during the vice-chancellor’s visit to the NIS Athlete Development Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.
Omoregie announced that the school’s Senate had approved the collaboration between the two institutions, paving the way for the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
He said the MoU, designed to strengthen sports education and professional training, followed extensive engagements between officials of both institutions and reflected the university’s commitment to becoming a national hub for capacity building.
“We convened a special senate meeting because we were excited by the proposal and wanted the partnership to receive the full endorsement of the university,” he said.
The vice-chancellor noted that the partnership aligned with his administration’s vision of expanding the university’s role beyond traditional academic programmes to producing skilled professionals for the sports industry.
He added that UNIBEN was recently designated by the Federal Ministry of Education as a centre of excellence in sports.
According to him, the school is committed to supporting reforms that position sports not only as a tool for physical development but also as a viable business and employment sector.
Omoregie, who serves on the ministerial committee reviewing sports curricula in Nigerian universities, said the institution would make its facilities available to support the institute’s programmes.
“The University is willing and ready to open all its doors and facilities to realise our shared goal of advancing sports development in Nigeria.
“We shall faithfully implement every provision of the MoU so that this partnership becomes a lasting legacy,” he said.
Most Significant Institutional Partnership
Earlier, Shaibu described the collaboration as one of the most significant institutional partnerships in the history of Nigerian sports.
He commended the university for its swift support, including accommodating the NIS Basic Course within its facilities while providing office space for NIS personnel.
Shiabu also appreciated the University for approving land for the institute to develop a permanent facility on the university campus.
According to him, the partnership also provides the framework for introducing a sports coaching degree programme that will enable holders of the institute’s diploma certificates to earn university degrees.
“Sports and education must go together. That is why many of our elite athletes are now returning to school while pursuing their sporting careers.
“This collaboration has laid the foundation for one of the most consequential institutional partnerships in Nigerian sports, and we believe it will benefit generations of athletes and students,” Shaibu added.
Shaibu said the initiative formed part of the institute’s 10-year strategic development plan aimed at transforming sports education and human capacity development in the country.
He expressed optimism that many elite athletes and coaches would enroll in the new degree programme when admissions commence.
Shaibu also advocated stronger collaboration among government institutions to maximise available resources amid dwindling public funding.
He said agencies should share infrastructure and expertise rather than duplicate investments, adding that such partnerships would improve efficiency and reduce waste.
The NIS boss praised Omoregie’s leadership, saying UNIBEN had witnessed remarkable improvements in infrastructure, environmental cleanliness, academic stability and adherence to its academic calendar.
Both leaders expressed confidence that the collaboration would deepen sports education, strengthen coaching and athlete development, while promoting research and innovation.
