Education

NFF, NPFL, V Agency Sports Management Join Forces to Advance Scouting Methodologies in Nigeria Through Education and Technology

Published

4 months ago

February 12, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

In a continued effort to enhance Nigerian football, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and the Hungary-based sports management company V Agency have teamed up to advance scouting methodologies in Nigeria through education and technology.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at a workshop organized by V Agency Sports Management to highlight the transformative role of technology in scouting, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau stated that Nigeria has been lagging in scouting. He emphasized the need to partner with the Hungarian sports agency, V Agency, to help discover talent and secure opportunities for selected players in Europe.

He said, “Nigeria is being left behind in the area of scouting, which has led many people from outside the country to organize competitions and pick some of the best players to secure them clubs abroad.

“To bridge this gap, the NFF must collaborate with Hungary to train Nigerians in scouting courses and also organize competitions to discover players and secure better opportunities for them. This initiative is in three phases, and this is just the first part of it.”

In his address, the Chairman of the NPFL, Gbenga Elegbeleye, expressed pride in collaborating with V Agency, a distinguished Hungarian company renowned for its expertise in advanced scouting methodologies.

“In the ever-evolving world of football, staying ahead requires innovation and adaptability. By integrating advanced technology into our scouting operations, we gain several key advantages,” he said.

“By embracing these technological advancements, facilitated by our partnership with V Agency, the NPFL can enhance its scouting processes, fostering a more competitive and dynamic football environment in Nigeria.”

He urged stakeholders to remain committed to integrating these innovations to ensure Nigerian football continues to excel and inspires future generations.

The Ambassador of Hungary, Lorand Endreffy, also spoke at the event, expressing the Hungarian Embassy’s full support for the partnership’s success. He commended Nigeria’s global football achievements, noting that the country has produced numerous renowned players currently playing across Europe.

“Our embassy is ready to support both parties in their football development efforts. Football plays a major role in both Nigeria and Hungary. The Nigerian Super Eagles have inspired millions, making them one of the best teams globally.

“Therefore, it is essential that grassroots talents are developed and mentored by professionals to gain the necessary skills and become world-class players.”

However, the event covered various topics, including the use of advanced scouting software, video editing techniques, artificial intelligence, and analytics courses.

It also explored how these tools, in conjunction with assessments of players’ physical attributes, can transform professional scouting. Additionally, the workshop highlighted V Agency’s efforts in fostering sports and educational partnerships in Nigeria, creating opportunities for collaboration among football clubs, academies, schools, and industry professionals.

The workshop provided valuable insights into leveraging technology and education for talent identification and development. By integrating modern scouting methods and educational programs, this partnership aims to elevate the standards of football scouting in Nigeria, ensuring a more systematic, data-driven approach to discovering and nurturing football talent.

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Education

NELFUND assures students of smart system to improve loan access

Published

4 weeks ago

May 7, 2025

The Gleamer

Mariam Abeeb

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has assured students it was working assiduously towards building a technology driven system that would improve easy access to its loans.

This was as the FUND disclosed that no fewer than 320,000 students have thus far been paid with many more currently undergoing verification process to enable their payments.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr gave the assurances in Abuja, while addressing Polytechnics , Monotechnics and Institutes at a Stakeholders Engagement Session/ Technical Workshop on NELFUND System Automation and Loan Application Processes.

Sawyerr noted that the FUND was targeting a platform where students could access loan with confidence and without stress in a manner that was transparent and accountable.

He said: “At NELFUND our mission goes beyond giving loans. It’s about opening doors, it’s about making sure every young Nigerian who is willing to learn and grow has a real shot regardless of their background, location, or chosen path of study.

“For too long, many students, especially in technical institutions, have faced steep financial barriers; some drop out, others have never even applied. This is the gap we at NELFUND are here to close. But we know we can’t do it alone.

“This is a shared mission. It belongs to all of us, government institutions and the private sector alike. This technical workshop marks a major step forward.

“We’re not only providing financing, we’re building a technology-driven system that makes it easier for students to apply, for institutions to verify, and for funds to be disbursed with speed, fairness, and accountability.

“We’re aiming for access without stress, a platform students can use with confidence; transparency and trust so that no one is left wondering where their application stands; partnership with purpose because your feedback, your data, and your cooperation are critical to making this work. We rely on you as our institutional partners to help us bring this vision to life.”

Sawyerr who commended the institutions for providing technical expertise, practical hands-on training that fuels industries and empowers communities over the years, said besides teaching skills, they have built careers, created employers and strengthened economies.

“You know your students, you understand their struggles, your insights will help us tailor this system to reflect the realities on ground, not just assumptions on paper.

“To NBTE, we value your steady leadership in shaping and regulating technical education. Your collaboration is key as we move forward fully.”

The NELFUND boss urged the institutions to partner with the FUND to deliver a system that was not just functional or sustainable, but one that was transformative

“As we move forward fully, integrating NELFUND processes with institutional systems and standards, let us remember at the heart of all of this is a student, a young Nigerian with dreams, with ambition, and the courage to pursue them. Everything we do must serve that student.

“The only way to make it happen is by working together, listening to one another, and staying grounded in real-world challenges. I encourage you all to engage fully today share what’s working and what is not, and together let’s build something that lasts.”

NELFUND ‘s Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, disclosed that apart from the 320,000 students who have so far been paid, more verifications are currently ongoing.

Mustapha, who explained that the failure of not having the number of registered students tally with the number of students whose application process was deemed successful was from the part of students and not NELFUND, said there was an urgent need to bridge the gap.

He also disclosed that the FUND was considering connecting directly to institution’s portal to get the data they need, and how student could apply to their institutions portal without necessarily reaching out to NELFUND.

“One other thing that we’re trying to do going forward is to send some of our IT to all the institutions so that we can see how possible it is we connect directly to your portal instead of saying please send us data. How can we connect using an API which makes it easier to get the data of any student coming to us directly from your portal and not from our portal. So we don’t need to be collecting any data again.

“At the same time, we’re thinking of seeing how is it possible that a student can apply to your portal without coming to us. So it makes it so easy for the student when they’re doing registration, when they’re doing payments, they can select either to apply for NELFUND loans and the process will go through your portal. So you have all the data without ever reaching to NELFUND. All we need is for you to give assurance these are your students and if we have that, we pay you directly. It makes it simpler and faster for all the students.”

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