By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to using sports as a strategic tool for international diplomacy, youth development, and global engagement.
The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Australian High Commission at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
The visit focused on discussions around the development of rugby in Lagos State universities and secondary schools as part of efforts to strengthen sports collaboration between Nigeria and Australia.
He noted that sports remain a powerful instrument of “citizen diplomacy,” capable of strengthening bilateral relationships while creating opportunities for young athletes, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
According to him, Lagos State is committed to supporting initiatives that promote mass participation in sports and provide platforms for athletes to use their talents for positive societal impact.
He described rugby as a sport with strong potential to elevate Nigeria’s global sporting image, adding that partnerships with countries like Australia and Britain would further enhance international relations.
“We know very well that sports are a powerful tool of diplomacy and engagement between countries,” Fatodu said.
“Rugby can position Nigeria positively on the global stage, and we are ready to support this collaboration.”
He added that the Lagos State Government would continue to provide institutional backing for sports development programmes, describing athletes as “informal ambassadors” of the country.
In his remarks, Second Secretary and Head of Delegation at the Australian High Commission, Mr. Bede Thompson, expressed Australia’s readiness to support the growth of rugby in Nigeria, describing the sport as a key part of Australian culture and global identity.
He said the initiative would help strengthen people-to-people ties between both countries while expanding opportunities for Nigerian athletes, particularly female players.
He commended the Nigeria Rugby League Association (NRLA) for its efforts in developing the sport, especially its focus on women’s participation, which he said aligns with global best practices.
He also praised the performance of Nigerian female rugby players, popularly known as the Green Falcons, noting their growing impact on the international stage.
Thompson further disclosed that the Australian High Commission plans to commence a school-based rugby development programme in Lagos State next year, alongside referee training initiatives to support international accreditation.
“This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a strong and lasting partnership,” he said.
Chairman of the Lagos State Rugby Association, Mr. Ade Adebisi, explained that Australia was selected as a partner due to its global leadership in rugby development. He said the collaboration aims to introduce and strengthen rugby in Lagos universities and secondary schools, building a structured pipeline for talent development.
He also expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Sports Commission for supporting a pilot rugby programme held at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, which recorded participation from about 125 secondary school students.
The partnership is expected to deepen sports diplomacy between Nigeria and Australia while expanding youth engagement and grassroots sports development in Lagos State.