The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) will host an advanced gender-inclusive governance course in Abuja later this month, with backing from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as part of efforts to strengthen sports administration in Nigeria.
The three-day programme is scheduled for March 23 to 25, 2026, at the Media Centre, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. The initiative is supported by Olympic Solidarity and is targeted at former female athletes and women currently serving on the boards of National Sports Federations.
According to the NOC, the course is aimed at deepening inclusive leadership, improving governance standards, and reinforcing institutional effectiveness across the country’s sports federations.
President of the NOC, Habu Ahmed Gumel, will officially declare the programme open. He emphasised that sustainable sports development depends on transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance structures. Gumel noted that strengthening the capacity of women in leadership positions is key to driving reform, improving compliance with international standards, and ensuring long-term growth within Nigeria’s sports system.
The course will be delivered under the IOC’s global education framework and is built around the IOC Sports Administration Course manual. Participants will receive training in governance reform and strategic planning, financial oversight, ethical leadership and safeguarding, as well as policy implementation and institutional management.
Beyond classroom learning, the NOC said the programme will also provide mentorship opportunities and encourage collaboration among participants, helping to build a strong network of women leaders capable of influencing reforms within their respective federations.
The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to aligning Nigeria’s sports governance structures with global best practices, adding that the initiative is expected to improve institutional oversight and expand women’s participation in high-level decision-making roles across the sector.
