Sports University of Nigeria set to redefine education and sports — Ned’s Aide, Mike Ogar

By David Odama

The Sports University of Nigeria, located in Idumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, has been designed to blend academic excellence with professional sports, making it the first specialised institution of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Senator Ned Nwoko’s media consultant, Michael Ogar Gabriel, the University is envisioned as a model that nurtures both intellect and sporting talent.

Licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on May 12, 2022, the privately-owned university is pioneering a new approach to education in Nigeria. Its mission is to serve as a Centre of Excellence in sports, business, and academics, attracting aspiring athletes from across Africa and beyond.

Gabriel explained that the promoters see the institution as a citadel for champions, offering rigorous academic programmes alongside compulsory high-performance training in sports such as football, basketball, swimming, tennis, badminton, table tennis, track and field, handball, volleyball, golf, hockey, gymnastics, squash, taekwondo, archery, darts, and shooting.

“In line with its equal opportunity policy, the University admits students without discrimination. It is founded on six guiding principles — Equity, Justice, Fairness, Hard Work, Dedication, and Commitment — values that will inspire self-development among students while contributing to national progress,” Gabriel said.

The institution hosts a variety of faculties and programmes, including Sports Science and Technology, Sports Administration and Management, and Physical and Health Sciences. The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences offers degrees in nursing, physiotherapy, public health, and medical laboratory science. The Faculty of Mass Communication provides courses in advertising, journalism, broadcasting, film, digital media, and theatre arts, while the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences covers accounting, economics, business administration, political science, sociology, psychology, and related disciplines.

Additionally, students may pursue studies in the Faculty of Sciences, which runs programmes in computer science, software engineering, cyber security, microbiology, biochemistry, and physics with electronics, as well as the Faculty of Architecture.

For professional and vocational development, the University offers diploma and certificate courses in sports law, sports psychology, sports media, fitness coaching, corporate athletics, sports sponsorship, marketing, sports facility management, and vocational training. It also provides preparatory studies for talented athletes who may not meet full academic requirements, giving them a pathway into higher education.

The University’s flexible academic structure allows students to combine compulsory sports training with other academic programmes, ensuring every graduate leaves with professional qualifications and sporting experience. Plans are also underway to establish international collaborations with universities and sports institutes for global exposure.

Situated in a serene environment in Idumuje-Ugboko, the campus boasts ICT-driven classrooms, state-of-the-art sporting facilities, comfortable hostels, and a secure study atmosphere. Stakeholders in both education and sports have hailed the University as a landmark initiative with the potential to reposition Nigeria and Africa in the global academic and sporting landscape.