The Faculty of Education hosted a personality lecture on October 29, 2024, featuring Amaju Melvin Pinnick, former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and FIFA Council Member.
The event, held at Trenchard Hall, focused on the theme: “The Challenges of Sports Infrastructure and Maintenance in Nigeria: Prospects for Podium Performance”.
Mr. Pinnick articulated the critical need for robust sports infrastructure, stating, “Our athletes have talent, but we must invest in quality sports facilities to help them reach their full potential”. He emphasized that without good infrastructure, Nigerian athletes struggle to compete effectively on the global stage
Pinnick pointed to the lack of proper maintenance, outdated equipment, and insufficient funding as challenges faced by Nigerian sport. He urged both the government and the private sector to take action, insisting that better infrastructure is key to Nigeria’s success in international sports.
The lecture also included goodwill messages from prominent figures in sports administration including Aisha Falode, a member of the FIFA Executive, who commended Pinnick for his dedication to promoting Nigerian sports globally. Others are Barrister Seyi Atobi, former Vice President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Yusuf, current President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Sheu Diko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, and representatives from both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Notable attendees included the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. K.O. Adebowale, alongside Deputy Vice-Chancellors and the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. O. A. Adegbesan, who hosted the event. Hon. Wasilat Adegoke Adefemi, the Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, as well as representatives from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Supporters’ Club, were also present.
