The NOC-IOC Advanced Gender-Inclusive Governance Course kicked off on tuesday, at the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Abuja, drawing together a distinguished group of former athletes and women in sports from across Nigeria.
The high-level programme is focused on strengthening leadership capacity, advancing gender inclusion, and equipping participants with the practical tools needed to drive effective and transformative governance within the country’s sports sector.
The high-level programme is designed to deepen governance capacity, promote inclusive leadership, and enhance institutional effectiveness within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem. It represents a significant step toward strengthening the role of women in sports administration and decision-making processes.
The course was officially declared open by the President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, Habu Ahmed Gumel, underscoring the importance of gender balance and progressive leadership in the nation’s sporting framework.
Speaking on the objectives of the programme, the coordinator and a resource person Dr. Toyin Aluko, emphasized the responsibility of women in sports governance to inspire and mentor the next generation.
“Even before their appointments, we made them understand the importance of impacting younger ones. It is our responsibility to discover, educate, and mentor them. We are role models, and we must reflect that in our actions,” she stated.
Dr. Aluko who is also the pioneer President of the Netball Federation of Nigeria further stressed the critical role women must play beyond boardroom participation, highlighting advocacy as a key responsibility.
“Now that women are on the boards of sports federations, it is important for them to take up advocacy roles. When they return to their various states, we expect them to replicate and implement what they have learned here,” she added.
Describing the initiative as transformative, she noted that the programme is “an eye-opener” and a call to embrace new approaches in sports governance across the country.
The President/founder of the Association if former Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN) also commended the initiative, noting that the programme was intentionally made inclusive to accommodate all women in sports, regardless of their roles or backgrounds.
“We made this programme open to every woman in sports, and the level of participation and engagement so far has been impressive,” she said.
Dr. Aluko, who also is a handball ex International and as served as the head coach of the handball national team for twelve years serves highlighted the unique value women bring to governance.
“If women are fully included in governance, they bring the experience of managing homes and people. We are naturally positioned to bridge gaps between male and female stakeholders. Athlete welfare must always be at the center of our priorities,” she emphasized.
The course continues to reinforce the growing recognition of women as key drivers of sustainable development in sports administration, while setting the tone for a more inclusive, effective, and forward-thinking governance structure in Nigeria.
Over 40 women in sports were participants of this strategic all women sports administrator course, a move that would positively reshape the face and modus operandi across various Federations in Nigeria.
