By IndyPress News Desk

The University of Ibadan has officially unveiled the University of Ibadan Sports Academy and announced plans to establish a standalone Faculty of Sports as part of efforts to transform sports into a strategic pillar of academic excellence, talent development, and economic growth.

The unveiling ceremony, held on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Boardroom situated at the Tekena Tamuno Building, also featured the presentation of the academy’s official tracksuit.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, described the establishment of the academy as a defining moment in the university’s history, noting that it represents a deliberate effort to redefine the role of sports within the institution.

“This is not merely the launching of a new unit in our university. It is a watershed moment in our institutional history. It represents a deliberate and intentional effort to reimagine the role of sports within the University of Ibadan system,” he said.

He noted that sports had long been viewed merely as a recreational activity in many higher institutions, stressing that the University of Ibadan intends to change that narrative.

“We are declaring clearly and unequivocally that sports is a serious enterprise. It is a powerful driver of innovation, talent development, economic growth and national development.”

The Vice-Chancellor added that the global sports industry has become a multi-billion-dollar sector because countries invested in talent identification, infrastructure and structured development programmes.

“As Nigeria’s premier university, the University of Ibadan cannot afford to remain a spectator. It must become a leader,” he said.

He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education selected the University of Ibadan as one of six federal universities to pioneer the sports academy initiative and the only institution in the South-West to receive the designation.

According to the VC, the university aims to build a sustainable sports ecosystem capable of producing elite athletes while contributing to economic growth and job creation.

Related: UI Inaugurates Committee for Establishment of Sports Academy

Professor Adebowale also revealed that discussions are underway to establish a dedicated Faculty of Sports, moving beyond the traditional Human Kinetics programmes currently housed under Faculties of Education.

The proposed faculty is said to include departments of Sports and Exercise Science, Coaching and Performance Science, Sports Management and Business, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Sports Technology and Data Analytics.

“We are optimistic that after further consultations with the relevant authorities, these academic programmes will soon become a reality,” he said.

He further affirmed that the university already possessed the facilities with the academy serving as a boost to the upgrade of those facilities.

“The University of Ibadan is not starting from scratch. We already possess outstanding sporting facilities and a rich institutional heritage. This academy will build on that legacy by upgrading our infrastructure and professionalising our sports programmes,” he said.

Professor Adebowale also announced plans to integrate the University of Ibadan Staff School and the International School, University of Ibadan, into the academy’s talent development framework to identify and nurture gifted athletes from an early age.

“This deliberate inclusion ensures that we identify sporting talents early and nurture them systematically from childhood through secondary school and into the university,” he explained.

He further charged the academy’s planning committee to produce a comprehensive blueprint that will position the university as a leading centre for sports development in Nigeria.

Present at the launching were the Chairman of the University of Ibadan Sports Academy Planning Committee, Professor Olufemi Adegbesan, the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, senior university officials and other stakeholders.

Credit: Debinoculars News