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NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SPORTS PROGRAMS COMMENCES OCTOBER 2026 AT THE JOS CENTER.
Basic and Certificate Coaching Courses will be rolled out at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Jos center, by this October. This was declared by Mr Belmond Benson, the leader of the delegation from NIS, Lagos, who arrived Jos, Tuesday 23rd September to ascertain the level of readiness for the take-off of the pilot program. The declaration was contained in his remarks during a courtesy call on the Director of Sports, Plateau State, Prof Ezra Gunen, in his office.
Mr Benson while expressing concern over the low patronage on the Pilot program, added that for a time being, Jos, which is a Zonal center, will only run Certificate and Basic Courses while Degree and Advanced Courses will remain at the Lagos headquarter. He revealed that the future plan is to open centers in all the States where Basic and Certificate Courses will be featured while the zones are expected to run the Degree and Advanced Courses.
The broader plan however, is to establish a University of Sports with the zones serving as campuses, since Zonal centers will be operational in all the six geo-political zones of the Federation.
Responding, the Director of Sports, Prof Ezra Gunen, while welcoming the delegation to Jos, expressed joy with the NIS coming to Jos. He considered the presence of the Institution in Jos as God sent because of gains it will bring to the people of Plateau and its environs. He promised to send eligible staff from the Sports Council for studies in the Institute and also liaise with the Ministry of Education to encourage Games Masters to do the same.
Prof Gunen assured the delegation that the New Jos Hotel which was offered by the Plateau State Government as offices and accommodation for the Institute, will be available in October 2026, as soon as the Ministry of Tourism vacates the premises.
The Institute is in partnership with the University of Jos which will provide facilities for both lectures and Sports activities under its curriculum.
Credit: Alfred Gonyok
