News Editor
By David Odama
The Sports University of Nigeria, Idumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Conceived to integrate academic excellence with professional sports, has emerged as the first specialised institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The University according to the media consultant to Senator Ned Nwoko, Michael Ogar Gabriel, is positioned as a model for nurturing both talent and intellect setting.
It would be recalled that the institution established as a private university, and licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on May 12, 2022, the University is the pioneer of its kind in Nigeria. Its goal is to position itself as a Centre of Excellence in sports, business, and academics, serving as a magnet for aspiring sportsmen and women across Africa and beyond.
Michael Ogar Gabriel noted that Promoters of the institution describe it as a citadel for champions, combining rigorous academic programmes with compulsory high-performance training in sports such as football, swimming, basketball, handball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, track and field events, volleyball, golf, hockey, gymnastics, taekwondo, squash, shooting, archery and darts.
“In line with its equal opportunity commitment, the University has opened its doors to all without discrimination. It is built on six guiding principles — Equity, Justice, Fairness, Hard Work, Dedication, and Commitment — values which management believes will serve as catalysts for self-improvement among students and for national development.
The University offers a broad range of programmes across its faculties. These include Sports Science and Technology, Sports Administration and Management, and Physical and Health Sciences. In addition, the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences runs conventional degree courses in nursing, public health, physiotherapy and medical laboratory science. The Faculty of Mass Communication covers advertising, broadcasting, journalism, digital media, film studies and theatre arts, while the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences offers courses in accounting, business administration, economics, political science, psychology, sociology and related fields.
According to the senstor’s media Aide, Students will pursue studies in the Faculty of Sciences, which offers programmes in microbiology, biochemistry, computer science, cyber security, physics with electronics and software engineering, or in the Faculty of Architecture.
For professional and vocational growth, the institution also runs certificate and diploma programmes in areas such as sports media, sports psychology, corporate athletics, fitness coaching, sports facility management, sports law, sponsorship, marketing and vocational training. Preparatory studies are available for candidates with sporting talent who may not yet meet full academic entry requirements, offering them a pathway into higher education.
The University operates a flexible academic structure that allows students to combine compulsory sports training with courses from other faculties, ensuring that every graduate leaves with both professional qualifications and sports exposure. Management has also disclosed plans for partnerships with universities and sports institutes abroad to enhance the global exposure of its students.
Situated in a serene environment in Idumuje-Ugboko, the campus provides ICT-driven classrooms, modern sporting facilities, boarding accommodation and a secure study atmosphere. Stakeholders in education and sports have described the development as a landmark initiative that could reposition Nigeria and Africa in global sports and academics.
