NOC TO HOST GOOD GOVERNANCE SEMINAR FOR SPORTS FEDERATION PRESIDENTS IN ABUJA

Ohis AseinFaksmedia.com

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Solidarity programme, is set to host a two-day Seminar on Good Governance for Presidents of National Sports Federations in Abuja.

The seminar is scheduled for September 28–29, 2026, with participants expected to arrive in Abuja on September 27 and depart on September 30.

According to a September 6, 2026 notice issued by the Nigeria Olympic Committee, the programme is designed to strengthen the administration and governance of Nigeria's sports federations and promote a more integrated and effective sports system.

The seminar will focus on improving the management of sports federations, enhancing the utilisation of available resources, exploiting opportunities within the sports sector, reducing conflicts and promoting greater harmony among stakeholders.

It is also expected to provide participants with practical knowledge that can help National Federations function more effectively and adhere to recognised principles of good governance.

The programme will be conducted by Dr. Donald Rukare of Uganda, an international sports governance expert and MEMOS professor. Rukare is President of the Uganda Olympic Committee and serves as an ANOCA Zone 5 representative.

Among the topics to be addressed are Sports Architecture, Leadership and Sports, Qualities of Leadership, Sports Governance, Principles of Governance, Governance Challenges, the Role of the President and Secretary-General, and Managing a National Federation.

Participants will also engage in group work aimed at identifying specific governance challenges confronting sports organisations and discussing possible approaches to addressing them.

WHO WILL ATTEND?

The NOC has listed 43 participants and representatives for the seminar, comprising NOC officials, government sports administrators, presidents of national sports federations, an athlete representative and other key stakeholders.

Those listed to attend are:

1. President, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC)

2. 1st Vice President, NOC

3. 2nd Vice President, NOC

4. 3rd Vice President, NOC

5. Secretary-General, NOC

6. Deputy Secretary-General, NOC

7. Treasurer, NOC

8. One Executive Board Women Member, NOC

9. Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC)

10. Director-General, National Sports Commission

11. President, Archery Federation

12. President, Athletics Federation

13. President, Bobsled and Skeleton Federation

14. President, Judo Federation

15. President, Handball Federation

16. President, Tennis Federation

17. President, Hockey Federation

18. President, Rowing and Yachting Federation

19. President, Fencing Federation

20. President, Weightlifting Federation

21. President, Rugby Federation

22. President, CISM

23. President, Shooting Federation

24. President, Triathlon Federation

25. President, Volleyball Federation

26. President, School Sports Federation

27. President, Nigeria Surfing Federation

28. President, Nigeria Association of Sports Science and Medicine (NASSM)

29. President, Wrestling Federation

30. President, Nigeria Association of Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD)

31. President, Netball Federation

32. President, Modern Pentathlon Federation

33. President, Taekwondo Federation

34. President, Aquatic Federation

35. President, Badminton Federation

36. President, Gymnastics Federation

37. President, Nigeria Olympian Association

38. President, Golf Federation

39. President, Baseball and Softball Federation

40. President, Cycling Federation

41. President, Squash Federation

42. Augustine Odijie, Admin Manager, Nigeria Olympic Committee

43. Athlete Representative

The presence of the NSC Chairman and Director-General alongside leaders of the NOC and several Olympic and sports federations gives the seminar a broad institutional scope, bringing together policymakers, administrators, federation leaders and athlete representation.

Good governance has become an increasingly important subject in international sport administration, with Olympic Solidarity programmes supporting education and capacity-building for sports organisations. Dr. Rukare himself has been involved in governance education through the IOC's MEMOS programme.

For Nigerian sports, the Abuja seminar is expected to provide an opportunity for federation leaders to examine how their organisations are structured, how decisions are made, how resources are managed and how conflicts can be reduced through stronger governance practices.

The NOC says the ultimate measure of the programme will be how participating federations apply the knowledge gained from the seminar in the day-to-day running of their organisations.