By Amaechi Agbo

​ The National Institute for Sports (NIS) has reaffirmed its commitment to hosting upcoming Confederation of African Football (CAF) coaching licence courses in Nigeria, marking a major milestone in the country’s sports development.

​This commitment was highlighted during a joint facility inspection at the NIS complex in Abuja, led by the Director General and CEO of the NIS, Comrade Philip Shaibu, alongside the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Austin Eguavoen, and a representative from CAF.

​Facility Inspection and Upgrades

​The facility inspection aimed to verify that NIS infrastructure meets the stringent continental requirements set by CAF for hosting high-level coaching certification courses.

​Speaking during the tour, Shaibu reiterated that as Nigeria’s premier institution for sports education, the NIS must maintain facilities aligned with international best practices.

​”The NIS remains the apex institution for coaching education in Nigeria and, as such, must meet continental standards. Our goal is to ensure current and future students can obtain CAF certification seamlessly.”

— Comrade Philip Shaibu, Director General/CEO, NIS

​NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen expressed satisfaction with the facility standards inspected, noting that the collaboration will enhance coaching capacities and elevate technical standards across Nigerian football.

​Key Highlights of the Initiative

​Infrastructure Development: Comprehensive facility upgrades in Abuja to meet CAF’s continental specifications for elite sports instruction.

​Strategic Partnership: A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NIS and the NFF to institutionalize the hosting of CAF-licensed courses.

​Bridging the Capacity Gap: Addressing an NIS research finding that reveals over 40,000 active coaches in Nigeria currently lack formal certification.

​Financial Access: Proposals to integrate NIS programs with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to eliminate financial barriers for aspiring coaches seeking professional licenses.

​A Hub for African Coaching Excellence

​The return of top-tier courses—such as the CAF ‘A’ Licence—to Nigeria after a long hiatus is expected to position the country as a regional hub for sports training and certification. Through sustained cooperation between the NIS, NFF, and CAF, stakeholders aim to build a robust framework that continuously produces qualified personnel to lead teams at domestic and international levels.