The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Adamu Ahmed, has described as commendable the Federal Government’s decision to designate ABU and five other universities as Centres of Excellence in Sports.
The announcement was made in Abuja last week by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, during the inauguration of a 20-member National Sports-Education Review Committee. The six universities, spread across the country’s six geopolitical zones, are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Benin; University of Ibadan; University of Jos; and Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.
Speaking on the development, Prof. Ahmed said the designation of ABU as a Centre of Excellence in Sports was both an honour and a call to greater responsibility.
“This recognition is most deserving. Ahmadu Bello University has a long and proud tradition in sports, having produced some of Nigeria’s finest athletes, coaches, and sports administrators over the years. Beyond academics, the university has always believed in the power of sports as a unifying force, a tool for youth development, and a vehicle for building character and resilience,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.
He noted that ABU’s facilities, history, and human resources made it a natural choice for the role, commending the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative. He assured that the institution would justify the confidence reposed in it by delivering excellence in sports for the benefit of the nation.
Prof. Ahmed added that the initiative aligned with the reform agenda of the Minister of Education, who has consistently emphasized curriculum diversification, skills development, innovation, and stronger links between universities, entrepreneurship, and industry.
Highlighting the global potential of sports, the Vice-Chancellor stressed that it had evolved from being mere leisure to a multi-billion-dollar industry.
“Nigeria has the talent, the energy, and the youthful population to be a global sports powerhouse. What has been missing is a coordinated system that combines research, training, infrastructure, and talent management,” he said.
He further explained that Centres of Excellence such as the one at ABU could bridge the gap by serving as platforms for innovation, professional training, and commercialization of sports. According to him, if well harnessed, the initiative could stimulate job creation, attract investment, and contribute to diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
