NOC Organises Good Governance Seminar for Sports Federation Presidents
Oru Leonard
The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), with support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Solidarity programme, is set to organise a two-day seminar on good governance for presidents of National Sports Federations.
The seminar, scheduled for September 28–29, 2026, will take place at Starview Palace Hotel, 4th Avenue by Setraco, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening the leadership, administrative and governance capacities of sports federation presidents while promoting internationally recognised standards of good governance within Nigerian sports.
According to the NOC, the programme will address critical areas including sports architecture, leadership principles, governance structures, the responsibilities of presidents and secretary-generals, effective management of sports federations, and the identification and prevention of corruption in sports.
The seminar is also aligned with the Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance within the Olympic Movement, which promote transparency, accountability, integrity, ethical conduct, effective organisational structures and sound regulatory systems.
NOC Secretary-General, Babatunde Popoola, said the seminar would provide federation presidents with an opportunity to exchange experiences, examine prevailing governance challenges and develop practical approaches to improving sports administration and service delivery.
The International Olympic Committee has appointed Dr. Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport and a MEMOS instructor in Governance and Sports Management, as the international expert to facilitate the programme.
NOC President, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of sports administrators through continuous education, workshops and professional training.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, is expected to officially declare the Abuja session open.
The NOC said the programme underscores the importance of effective governance to the credibility, sustainability and growth of sports organisations in Nigeria.
