Jul 5, 2026

UI Launches Sports Academy, Unveils Tracksuit in Bold Talent Revolution

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in sport

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IBADAN, Nigeria — In a landmark move blending academic excellence with sporting ambition, the University of Ibadan (UI) has officially launched the University of Ibadan Sports Academy (UISA), unveiling its official tracksuit and setting the stage for a dedicated Faculty of Sports. The initiative aims to nurture elite athletes, create jobs, and boost Nigeria’s sports economy.

The launch ceremony, held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Boardroom on July 5, 2026, was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, with the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, and other key stakeholders in attendance.

Professor Olufemi Adegbesan, Chairman of the UISA Planning Committee, received special commendation for his visionary leadership.

The Vice-Chancellor described the academy as a “watershed moment” for UI, Nigeria’s oldest university. “Sports is a serious enterprise—a powerful driver of innovation, talent development, economic growth, and national development,” he declared, emphasizing the shift from viewing sports merely as recreation to a strategic asset.

UI was selected by the Federal Ministry of Education as one of only six federal universities to pioneer this academy initiative—and the sole institution from the South-West geopolitical zone.

The university plans to leverage its existing world-class facilities, rich heritage, and institutional experience to build a sustainable, commercially viable sports ecosystem.

Discussions are underway to establish a standalone Faculty of Sports, moving beyond the current Human Kinetics programmes.

Proposed departments include Sports and Exercise Science, Coaching and Performance Science, Sports Management and Business, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Sports Technology and Data Analytics.

The academy will integrate talent identification from the University of Ibadan Staff School and the International School, Ibadan, ensuring early nurturing of gifted young athletes from childhood through university level.

The official tracksuit unveiling, emblazoned with the slogan “UISA, Where Sports and Character Make a Total You!”, symbolized the holistic vision combining athletic prowess with character development.

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the global multi-billion-dollar sports industry as inspiration, urging UI to lead rather than spectate. The academy seeks to produce athletes who excel internationally while contributing to job creation and economic transformation. A comprehensive blueprint is expected soon to guide long-term implementation.

This development comes at a time when Nigeria continues to seek ways to harness its youthful population for sporting glory and economic diversification.

Stakeholders have welcomed the initiative as a forward-thinking step that could position UI — and by extension Nigeria — as a hub for sports excellence in Africa.

As the University of Ibadan Sports Academy takes flight, it offers renewed hope that structured investment in sports can yield both medals and meaningful economic opportunities for the next generation.