The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) is set to organize a two-day Good Governance Seminar for presidents of National Sports Federations in Abuja. The capacity-building programme, scheduled for September 28 and 29, 2026, aims to strengthen the leadership and administrative capacity of federation presidents while promoting internationally recognized governance standards across Nigerian sports. The seminar will take place at the Starview Palace Hotel in Abuja.
The initiative comes amid growing emphasis on transparency, accountability, effective leadership, and institutional responsibility within sports administration. National Sports Federations are expected to operate in accordance with their constitutions, applicable regulations, and established ethical standards. The NOC said the seminar is designed not merely as a training programme but as an opportunity for sports administrators to examine governance challenges affecting federations.
The two-day programme will expose federation presidents to essential issues in effective sports administration, including the structure of the sports ecosystem, leadership principles and qualities, governance standards, and responses to institutional challenges. Participants will also examine the respective responsibilities of federation presidents and secretary-generals, effective management of National Sports Federations, and ways of identifying and addressing corruption within the sports sector.
The NOC said the curriculum has been developed to provide participants with practical knowledge applicable to the day-to-day administration of their respective federations. The programme will also provide an avenue for federation leaders to discuss challenges confronting sports administration and consider how stronger internal structures, clearer responsibilities, and improved accountability mechanisms can contribute to the stability and development of Nigerian sports.
The seminar is aligned with the Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance within the Olympic Movement, promoting principles fundamental to the proper functioning of sports organisations. These include having a clear vision and strategy, establishing sound organisational structures and regulations, maintaining integrity and ethical standards, promoting transparency and accountability, and ensuring effective control mechanisms.
Secretary-General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Babatunde Popoola, said the seminar would provide federation presidents with an opportunity to share experiences and engage directly on governance challenges affecting sports administration in Nigeria. The International Olympic Committee has appointed Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport, as the international expert who will facilitate the seminar, bringing an international perspective to the discussions.
President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of sports administrators through continuous education, workshops, and training programmes. Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, will officially declare the Abuja session open, underlining the importance attached to improved governance and institutional capacity within the country’s sports sector.
Key points
- The seminar aims to promote internationally recognized governance standards across Nigerian sports.
- The programme will provide an avenue for federation leaders to discuss challenges confronting sports administration.
- The seminar is aligned with the Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance within the Olympic Movement.
