In a landmark move set to redefine youth development and sports innovation in Nigeria, a world-class Sports and Vocational Training Institute is set to begin full operations next year in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The initiative is being driven by Hon. Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, in partnership with the Chairman of Kwara United FC, Kumbi Titiloye.
Speaking to Sports247 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Friday, June 27, 2025—just before the final of the President Federation Cup—Adeboye described the project as a “youth development revolution” that combines sports excellence with life-sustaining vocational skills.
“What we are doing in Oro is not just a sports academy; it is a total human development hub,” Adeboye said. “We are building five football pitches—natural grass, Astro turf, and sandy surfaces—as well as departments for agriculture, computer literacy, and formal education. It’s a model where no youth is left behind.”
He explained that the Institute would offer flexible pathways, allowing young people to choose between football, academics, tech skills, and agro-sports based on their strengths and interests. “If school isn’t your strength, there’s football. If not football, then agriculture or tech. It’s a one-stop solution for building futures,” he added.
The project is expected to be the first of its kind in Nigeria, blending sports and vocational education in a comprehensive format that ensures young Nigerians can thrive regardless of their background or academic ability.
Adeboye also took time to commend the ongoing transformation within Nigerian football, attributing recent progress to the combined efforts of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), league organizers, and match officials.
“The improvement in our game is real,” he said. “Our referees, leagues, and the NFF have all stepped up—and they deserve credit.”
He emphasized that this renaissance is being made possible through the renewed national focus on youth and sports under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“For the first time, the National Sports Commission is working directly with the Presidency. That’s a testament to President Tinubu’s unmatched passion for youth empowerment and national development through sports.”
With the Sports and Vocational Training Institute set to kick off in 2026, stakeholders across the country are hailing the project as a bold leap toward sustainable youth engagement, talent discovery, and economic upliftment.
