Construction of NOC Secretariat Begins in Abuja
The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) has commenced construction of its Permanent Secretariat in Abuja
The intended NOC headquarters will be a status-befitting facility.
According to a release by the NOC public relations officer, Tony Nezianya, on Monday, June 16, the body officially commenced an ambitious project to establish its permanent secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The initiative, he explained “aims to enhance the infrastructure and operational capabilities of the NOC”, it “comes on the heels of a five hectares of land allocated to it by the Federal Government.”
The project site was unveiled on Wednesday, June 11, during a meeting of the board of the committee in Abuja which the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) attended.
The facility is located around the Aviation Village, in the FCT, Abuja.
Mr. Nezianya adds: “The two important leaders in sports – the Chairman of NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director-General of NSC, Bukola Olapade were in the entourage.
“The trip was led by the President of the NOC, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, oon. He was accompanied by members of the Executive Committee and the Board of the committee.
“The property will be equipped with various sports training facilities.
“These facilities will cater to the needs of various federations affiliated to the NOC, fostering a conducive environment for training, development, and sporting excellence as Nigeria prepares for upcoming international competitions, including the Commonwealth and the Olympic Games.
“Primarily, the facility will house the NOC Secretariat as well as streamline the Committee’s operations while enabling a more efficient management of Olympic-related activities in Nigeria.”
He also disclosed that some Sports Training Facilities will be sited there. These will include state-of-the-art training facilities for various sports.
This goal is to provide a platform where athletes can prepare effectively for national and international competitions.
It is expected to create a centralised hub for sports promotion, training, and athletes development as the NOC aims to enable sports federations to conduct training camps, workshops, and seminars that are critical for improving the standards of Nigerian athletes.
According to NOC helmsman, Habu Gumel, the secretariat construction is being carried out in phases and it will eventually, have not less than five floors.
The facility will help to boost National Sports initiatives. “It is envisioned to invigorate National sports initiatives and collaborations, providing various federations with the necessary resources to nurture local and professional talents.”
The Committee is optimistic that the project will not only improve training standards but also contribute to the success of Nigerian athletes on the global stage.
During the recent NOC meeting National sports federations’ elections that has since commenced as well as the OlympAfrica project at Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos were discussed alongside issues around some upcoming international competitions, particularly the African school’s Sports Games which comes up in Algeria from July 25 to August 5, 2025.
The Islamic solidarity Games being hosted by Saudi Arabia from November 17 to November 21, 2025 was also in the agenda.
