Press Release 21 July 2010

Nigeria has become the latest country to benefit from the London 2012 International Inspiration Programme.

Nigeria has become the latest country to join London 2012’s official International Legacy Programme, International Inspiration. The fourth African country to be chosen to participate in this unique project, Nigeria is also Africa’s most populous country.

International Inspiration inspires and enables millions of young people in countries around the world to play sport. This changes lives - opening doors to leadership, health, inclusion, excellence, or simply the joy of participation.

International Inspiration Nigeria was officially launched at the National Stadium in the capital Abuja today - with a sports festival attended by young leaders as the centrepiece, before a Memorandum of Understanding was officially signed. Baroness Estelle Morris, former Secretary of State for Education and Skills, was present to witness proceedings, along with a number of other dignitaries and special guests.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “Sport has always been an essential part of my life and I know the benefits it can bring to someone’s life. That’s why I’m delighted to welcome Nigeria as the latest country to the International Inspiration programme – through this we will be reaching out to and inspiring thousands more children and young people to go beyond their personal best.”

Nigeria joins 12 other countries around the world already enjoying International Inspiration, which aims to reach 12 million children and young people of all abilities, in 20 countries, by 2012. It brings to life the promise made by the London 2012 bid team to use sport to enrich and transform the lives of children and young people around the world.

In Nigeria, International Inspiration will specifically use sport to:

•Increase the number of children and young people participating in sport, including marginalized children and children with special needs

•Increase engagement in education amongst marginalized children using the medium of high quality PE, sport and play

•Help to empower children and young people by focusing on developing leadership and life skills

International Inspiration will also assist in the development of a National School Sport Policy for Nigeria - as well as implementing comprehensive training for teachers and coaches, to ensure learning is gender-sensitive and accessible by children with special needs. This will include using participation in PE and Sport to focus on promoting girls’ enrolment, retention and academic achievements.

Nigerian schools will be partnered with schools in the UK at both primary and secondary level, where they will work together to share best practice, share cultures and learn from one another.   

International Inspiration is delivered as a partnership between UK Sport, the British Council and UNICEF. In Nigeria, the II team will collaborate with a number of ‘in-country’ organisations including the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission/Ministry for Sport to achieve the programme aims. Ultimately, the programme will reach hundreds of thousands of children and young people over the three year project.  

To date, International Inspiration has reached 5.6 million children in 13 countries across the world. Supported and welcomed by the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee, it represents a unique opportunity to connect millions of young people around the world with the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.