NOC Unveils Abuja Secretariat, Eyes New Era For Nigerian Sports

In a historic move set to redefine the landscape of Nigerian sports, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has officially kicked off the construction of its long-awaited permanent secretariat in Abuja — a state-of-the-art facility poised to become the nerve center for Olympic and elite sports development in the country.

Unveiled on June 11, 2025, during a high-level meeting attended by top officials from the National Sports Commission (NSC), the groundbreaking initiative is being developed on a 5-hectare plot allocated by the Federal Government around the Aviation Village in the Federal Capital Territory.

The launch was led by the President of the NOC, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, OON, who was joined by members of the NOC Executive Committee, Board members, and key dignitaries including the Chairman of NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and NSC Director-General, Bukola Olapade.

“This project represents a bold step forward in our mission to transform Nigeria into a global sporting powerhouse,” said Engr. Gumel. “It will not only streamline our administrative operations but also serve as a world-class training hub for Nigerian athletes across various disciplines.”

The upcoming NOC Secretariat is expected to rise in phases, eventually comprising at least five floors and integrating cutting-edge training facilities for multiple sports. The site is designed to host national federations, training camps, seminars, and workshops — all under one roof — creating a centralised ecosystem for athlete development and Olympic preparation.

A Game-Changing Sports Infrastructure

The proposed complex is more than just an office block. It is envisioned as a dynamic campus that will house elite training centres for federations under the NOC umbrella, providing the technical environment needed to prepare athletes for global competitions such as the Commonwealth Games, African Games, and the Olympic Games.

“The presence of such a facility will invigorate national sports initiatives and significantly elevate our international competitiveness,” noted NSC Chairman Dikko during the tour of the project site.

Among the agenda items discussed during the unveiling were key developments in the ongoing National Federation elections, the OlympAfrica project in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, and preparations for major international competitions, including:

African School Sports Games in Algeria (July 25 – August 5, 2025)

Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia (November 17 – 21, 2025)

The NOC leadership expressed confidence that this new infrastructure will serve as a launching pad for more robust collaboration between sports bodies, better resource utilisation, and a stronger pipeline of local and international talents.

A Vision Beyond the Olympics

With construction already underway, the NOC secretariat is set to become the heartbeat of Nigeria’s Olympic movement — a beacon of progress that speaks to the country’s growing commitment to global sporting excellence.

In the words of Engr. Gumel, “We are not just building a structure. We are building a legacy.”

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