The National Institute for Sports and the University of Benin have agreed to partner to train sports administrators in Nigeria.

The deal, sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding, will see both institutions work together to produce professionals for the management of sports in the country. It covers National Diploma courses, certificate programmes and coaching programmes.

A key part of the arrangement is the introduction of a degree programme in Sports Administration at UNIBEN, which will offer young Nigerians an academic route into careers in the sports industry.

Speaking during the engagement, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN praised the Director-General of NIS, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, for the changes 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,” he said.

Shaibu stressed the importance of collaboration among institutions in driving national development. He said the partnership with UNIBEN would help bridge gaps in sports administration by equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to manage the sector effectively.

He added that the partnership aligns with the vision of sustainable growth and nation-building under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Effective administration remains critical to sports development, from grassroots programmes and talent identification to the running of organisations, competitions and athletes.

The collaboration is expected to produce a new generation of trained administrators while opening opportunities for research, professional training and capacity building.