NOC Women Commission to Round Off 2026 Programme with Girl-Child Celebration, Inclusive Journalism Seminar

By Ohis Asein

The Women Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) is set to round off its 2026 annual programme with two major initiatives focused on empowering the girl-child and strengthening the role of journalists in promoting women’s sports.

The Commission, which has successfully implemented the first of its three strategic programmes for the year, is scheduled to hold its International Day of the Girl Child celebration on October 10, 2026, at the OlympAfrica Centre, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, followed by its Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar for Journalists in Abuja from October 22–24, 2026.

The three-pronged 2026 programme was designed to promote the development, participation and welfare of girls and women in sports.

The first programme, the Award for Pioneer Female Athletes (1965–1980), was successfully held on June 30, 2026, celebrating women who blazed the trail and laid the foundation for the development of women’s sports in Nigeria.

Attention has now shifted to the remaining two programmes.

Her Voice, Her Future

As part of activities to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, the NOC Women Commission will bring together more than 100 adolescent girls from secondary schools across Lagos State, alongside young female athletes, coaches and stakeholders from the sports, education and advocacy sectors.

The programme, themed “Her Voice, Her Future: Investing in Girls Through Sports and Education,” is aimed at amplifying the voices of young girls while using sports and education as tools for empowerment, leadership and personal development.

The initiative will also promote school retention through sports and expose girls to opportunities provided by digital technology.

The United Nations observes the International Day of the Girl Child annually on October 11, with attention drawn to the rights, opportunities and challenges facing girls globally.

While the global focus for this year's observance is “End Child Marriage, Invest in Girl Child,” the NOC Women Commission is placing particular emphasis on giving girls a stronger voice through its core pillars of sports and education.

NOC President, Engr. Habu Gumel, commended the Women Commission for its initiatives and stressed the importance of investing in girls.

According to him, empowering a girl through education and sports goes beyond the individual, as it gives her the confidence and platform to shape her own future.

«“We believe that when you invest in a girl’s education and empower her through sports, you are not just educating one girl – you are giving her a voice to shape her own future.»

«“Our theme ‘Her Voice, Her Future’ is a call to replace child marriage with classrooms and playgrounds where girls can learn, lead, and thrive.”»

The day-long celebration will feature inspirational talks by women leaders in education, sports and digital technology, mentorship sessions, sporting activities and the launch of the “Her Voice” pledge.

NOC Women Commission Opens Leadership Seminar to All Journalists

The Commission will then conclude its 2026 calendar with its flagship Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar, scheduled for October 22–24 in Abuja.

For the past three years, the leadership seminar has been organized specifically for female coaches, administrators and technical officials as part of efforts to build female capacity and increase women's representation in sports leadership.

However, the 2026 edition will mark a significant strategic shift.

For the first time, the programme will focus on journalists, and participation will not be restricted by gender.

The Commission says the decision to make the seminar open to both male and female journalists is based on the recognition that journalists play a critical role in shaping public narratives, increasing visibility and advocating for greater opportunities for girls and women in sports.

Participants are expected to receive training in modern sports reporting, leadership, ethical journalism, gender-sensitive reporting and strategies for increasing the visibility of women's and girls' sports.

The initiative is also expected to strengthen the capacity of sports journalists to report women's sports more effectively while contributing to a more balanced and inclusive sports media landscape.

With the two programmes, the NOC Women Commission is positioning its 2026 activities around empowerment, education, visibility, leadership and inclusion, reinforcing its commitment to creating equal opportunities and improving the welfare and development of girls and women within Nigeria's sports ecosystem.