Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called for stronger bilateral relations between the State and the North African country known as Tunisia, particularly in sports development, grassroots football and institutional collaboration.
Gov. Abiodun, made the call when the Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit, visited Abeokuta in connection with the CAF Confederation Cup engagement between Shooting Stars of Ibadan and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.
Represented by the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, said Ogun was interested in learning from Tunisia’s experience in developing football at both grassroots and professional levels, noting that the State was particularly interested in the systems that had helped Tunisian clubs establish themselves as a major force in African football.
Abiodun, specifically sought collaboration in the development and repositioning of the State-owned football club, Gateway United Football Club, saying that Ogun was keen to understand how clubs such as Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Étoile Sportive du Sahel and CS Sfaxien, had developed strong identities, sustainable structures as well as successful records in CAF competitions.
He said Ogun had abundant football talent and the infrastructure needed to nurture it, stressing that the State was seeking strategic partnerships capable of converting its youthful population and sporting potential into sustainable opportunities.
The Governor added that the State had continued to invest in sports infrastructure and talent development through the improvement of sporting facilities and the hosting of major national and international competitions, noting that sports remained an important component of the State’s youth development and economic agenda.
Abiodun, said the proposed partnership could cover technical development, coaching, scouting, youth academies, club administration, sports management and exchange programmes between Ogun and Tunisian football institutions.
“Ogun’s ambition is to build a football system that would develop home-grown talents, strengthen local clubs and ultimately produce teams capable of making a mark in Nigerian and African football.
Responding, Ambassador Antit, expressed Tunisia’s readiness to strengthen relations with Ogun State, particularly in areas where his country had developed considerable expertise, explaining that Tunisia’s football success had been built over the years through strong club structures, youth development, investment in technical expertise and effective football administration.
He explained that the Tunisian clubs had benefited from systems that emphasised the identification and nurturing of young players, creating clear pathways for their progression into professional football, while welcoming the Governor’s proposal for cooperation, saying Tunisia was willing to explore areas of mutual interest that could benefit both sides.
The ambassador added that the proposed cooperation would extend beyond football to sports, education, culture, tourism and investment, thereby creating a broader framework for stronger relations between Ogun State and Tunisia.
