The Women Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) is set to conclude its 2026 annual programme with two major initiatives focused on girls’ empowerment, women’s participation in sports and the role of the media in advancing gender-sensitive sports coverage,
The activities will follow the successful completion of the Commission’s first major programme of the year—the Award for Pioneer Female Athletes (1965–1980)—which was held on June 30, 2026, to honour women who played pioneering roles in the development of sports in Nigeria.
The Commission’s 2026 programme was structured around three strategic initiatives: the International Women’s Day Award for Pioneer Female Athletes (1965–1980), the International Day of the Girl Child celebration, and the Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar.
The remaining two programmes are scheduled for October, with the International Day of the Girl Child celebration taking place at the OlympAfrica Centre, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, on October 10, followed by the Annual Leadership Training/Seminar for Journalists in Abuja from October 22 to 24.
Empowering Girls Through Sports and Education
As part of activities marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, the Women Commission will bring together more than 100 adolescent girls from secondary schools across Lagos State.
The programme will provide a platform for schoolgirls, young female athletes, coaches and stakeholders in sports, education and advocacy to engage on issues affecting girls and their future.
With the theme, “Her Voice, Her Future: Investing in Girls Through Sports and Education,” the event is designed to amplify the voices of girls, encourage school retention through sports and promote the use of digital technology as a tool for empowerment.
The Commission said the initiative seeks to challenge limiting narratives around the girl child and create greater opportunities for leadership, education and personal development through sports.
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 under the auspices of the United Nations, with global attention focused on advancing girls’ rights and addressing the challenges they face.
While the global campaign this year places emphasis on ending child marriage and investing in girls, the NOC Women Commission is adopting a sports- and education-centred approach to the campaign, with particular emphasis on giving girls a stronger voice and greater opportunities to lead.
NOC President, Habu Gumel, commended the activities of the Women Commission and stressed the importance of investing in girls’ education and participation in sports.
“We believe that when you invest in a girl’s education and empower her through sports, you are not just educating one girl – you are giving her a voice to shape her own future. Our theme ‘Her Voice, Her Future’ is a call to replace child marriage with classrooms and playgrounds where girls can learn, lead, and thrive.”
The day-long programme will feature keynote and motivational sessions by women leaders in education, sports and digital technology, as well as mentorship activities, sporting events and the launch of a “Her Voice” pledge.
Leadership Seminar Opens to All Journalists
The Commission will round off its 2026 calendar with its Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar, scheduled for October 22–24 in Abuja.
For the past three years, the leadership seminar has been organised exclusively for female coaches, administrators and technical officials as part of efforts to strengthen women’s capacity and increase female representation in sports leadership.
This year, however, the Commission is broadening the programme by shifting its focus to journalists and opening participation to both men and women.
The Commission said the decision reflects the critical role journalists play in shaping public narratives around sports, increasing the visibility of women’s competitions and athletes, and promoting more balanced and gender-sensitive reporting.
The seminar will focus on contemporary sports reporting, leadership, media ethics, gender-sensitive journalism and practical strategies for improving the visibility and coverage of girls’ and women’s sports.
By opening the programme to journalists across gender lines, the Commission hopes to build a wider network of media professionals capable of contributing to more inclusive coverage of the Nigerian sports sector.
The Women Commission reaffirmed its commitment to creating equal opportunities, improving the visibility of girls and women in sports, and promoting their welfare, participation and development across the Nigerian sports ecosystem.
The two October programmes will therefore mark the culmination of the Commission’s 2026 activities while reinforcing its broader objective of using sports, education and media advocacy as platforms for empowering girls and advancing women’s leadership in Nigerian sports.
