The International Sports Institute Educational Trust (ISI) has marked a monumental milestone in the advancement of professional sports education in Nigeria and Africa by hosting its historic first graduation ceremony alongside the public presentation of a landmark publication.
The landmark event brought together senior policymakers, academics, elite sports administrators, and industry leaders to celebrate pioneer graduates and honor exceptional icons of sports-for-development.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the official launch of the graduating students’ capstone publication, Anthology of Sports Business Management and Innovations: Book of Readings. The comprehensive anthology represents the intellectual output of ISI’s pioneer students, who underwent rigorous professional training in Executive Sports Business Management, Sports Psychopathology, and Coaching Science. These tailored programs were engineered to bridge the critical skills gap within the African sports ecosystem and produce graduates equipped to drive commercial viability and innovation.
Conferment of Distinguished Fellowship Awards (DFISI)
In recognition of their exceptional contributions to sports governance, development, and education, the Institute conferred its prestigious Distinguished Fellow of the Institute (DFISI) award on a select group of visionary leaders and public servants:
- Mallam Shehu Dikko — Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC)
- Professor Ayo Omotayo — Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS)
- Hon. Dapo Okubadejo — Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Ogun State
- Hon. Sunday Dare — Former Minister of Sports and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Communications
- Professor Craig Mahoney — Former Vice-Chancellor, University of the West of Scotland, UK
- Barrister Adebowale Ojuri — Former Member, Ogun State House of Assembly
- Barrister Olawale Adekola — Co-Chairman, Advisory Board, ISI
- Coach Seigha Porbeni — Nigerian Veteran Track and Field Coach
Celebrating Media Excellence
The Institute also recognized veteran sports media personalities whose pioneering reportage and advocacy have profoundly shaped the national sports narrative:
- Dr. Larry Izamoje
- Mr. Godwin Enahena
- Mr. Kunle Solaja
- Mr. Kunle Oluwusi
Expanding Horizons: Upcoming Professional Doctorate Program
Looking ahead, the Institute announced that it will soon commence its Professional Doctor of Sports Business Management by Research program. Designed to leverage the deep career experiences of established leaders in the sports industry, the doctoral pathway aims to cultivate the next generation of sports scholars, policy experts, and corporate chief executive officers for Nigeria and the broader African continent.
The historic graduation marks the birth of a new, highly skilled workforce positioned to inject economic viability into the sports sector. The International Sports Institute remains firmly committed to capacity building, cutting-edge research, and strategic partnerships with both government and the private sector to position sports as an engine for national development, security, and economic growth.
