The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has inaugurated a 20-member committee to review sports curricula in tertiary institutions across the country.
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At the inauguration in Abuja on Thursday, Alausa noted that existing sports curricula in tertiary institutions and schools remained largely theoretical and outdated.
He stressed the need for a comprehensive review to align Nigeria’s approach with successful sports nations, urging a return to foundational development in sports from early childhood.
“Education is sports, and sports is education,” he said.
He expressed concerns that many Nigerian youths were wasting away while the country’s once vibrant sporting system had faded.
He contrasted the current situation with the robust sporting era of clubs like Shooting Stars, noting the nation’s shift toward consuming foreign sports content on satellite TV.
Alausa emphasised that the new committee would restructure sports curricula, focusing on practical skills, modern delivery methods, and integration with related disciplines.
He listed the terms of reference of the committee as: Review existing Physical/Health Education, Sports, and Sports Science courses accredited by NUC, NBTE, NCCE, and curricula from NERDC.
Other are: Recommend updates to course content, structure, or new programmes in line with global sports trends and standards, Propose structures for establishing sports/sports science departments and faculties.
Suggest strategies for linking sports courses with other fields such as medicine (physiotherapy) and business (sports management).
Identify relevant documents and resources needed for the committee’s work.Submit a detailed report based on evaluations and deliberations.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant on Digital Communications and E-Learning to the Minister, Mojoyinoluwa Adebajo, described the inauguration as critical to Nigeria’s sports development.
The Minister granted the committee authority to elect its Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Members include:Hajia Rekiya Ilyasu – Director, University Education, FME, Alex Usman Ejeh -Director, Polytechnic Education, FME, Dr Uche Uba – Director, Colleges of Education, FME.
Others are Mojoyin Adebajo – Special Assistant, Digital Communications & E-Learning, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu – Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle – Executive Secretary, NCCE and Prof. Idris Bugaje – Executive Secretary, NBTE.
