Sports administrator and advocate Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko has called on women serving on national sports federation boards to take active leadership roles in advancing gender-inclusive governance and improving athlete welfare across Nigeria.
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Speaking in an interview on the opening day of the Olympic Solidarity/NOC Sports Administration Course organised by the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Dr. Aluko emphasised that the programme is designed to empower participants to become strong voices for female athletes within their respective federations.
According to her, the responsibility of former athletes extends beyond competition, stressing the need to educate, mentor, and inspire the next generation.
“As former athletes, it is our responsibility to discover, educate, empower, and mentor younger ones. We are role models, and when athletes see the benefits of sports through us, it encourages them not to give up,” she said.
Dr. Aluko highlighted the importance of advocacy, noting that women now occupying positions on federation boards must champion issues affecting female athletes, including safeguarding and welfare.
“They need to be the voice for female athletes on the board, talking about safeguarding, welfare, and all the rest,” she added.
She further explained that participants are expected to replicate the knowledge gained from the course within their states and associations, particularly those who are also coaches, by preparing young athletes for future success.
Describing the initiative as a turning point, Dr. Aluko noted that the programme represents a shift from traditional approaches to sports administration.
“This programme is an eye-opener. It is not business as usual, we must begin to do things differently to get different results. This is a new era, and it is the first time we are having this level of participation from women on federation boards,” she said.
She revealed that the course, which was facilitated through the efforts of the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria, has recorded unprecedented participation, with over 40 women in attendance, significantly higher than previous editions.
“This is the highest number of women we have ever had in such a course. The International Olympic Committee will be proud, because they are very particular about women’s involvement in sports administration,” she noted.
On the challenges facing gender inclusion, Dr. Aluko pointed to the need for broader acceptance and support from male counterparts within the sports ecosystem.
“We need men to believe in us and accept that we can contribute meaningfully. Inclusion is key,” she said.
She argued that women bring unique leadership qualities shaped by their experiences in managing homes and families, which can positively influence governance structures in sports.
Addressing athlete welfare, Dr. Aluko stressed that improving conditions for athletes must be a top priority for administrators, particularly those who have experienced the system firsthand.
“Athletes have been cheated over the years—issues with allowances, feeding, and welfare. We must ensure that becomes a thing of the past,” she said.
She called on women in leadership to take a hands-on approach by monitoring training camps, ensuring proper feeding, adequate accommodation, and access to quality equipment.
“As women on federation boards, we must visit camps, see what athletes are eating, where they are sleeping, and ensure they are well prepared to perform,” she added.
Dr. Aluko concluded by reiterating that unity among athletes, coaches, and administrators, alongside a strong commitment to welfare and inclusion, will be key to achieving sustainable success in Nigerian sports.
