The Embassy of Ireland to Nigeria has unveiled a new sports diplomacy initiative aimed at deepening cultural and educational links between the two countries.
The Irish Sports Diplomacy Programme is set to roll out its pilot over two days, with activities scheduled for Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2026. The event will bring teachers and students from six selected secondary schools in Lagos together for a structured programme that blends learning with practical participation.
The announcement follows earlier momentum created during the year when Irish Government Minister Jack Chambers visited St. Finbarr’s College as part of his official St. Patrick’s Day trip to Nigeria.
St. Finbarr’s College has been chosen as the host venue for what is being described as a historic programme, with the embassy highlighting the school’s longstanding connections to both nations.
Established in the 1950s by the late Irish priest Father Dennis Slattery, the college carries a notable football legacy as well. Slattery, who later served as President of the Nigerian Football Federation in 1957, helped cement the institution’s reputation for combining academic focus with athletic ambition.
Across the two days, participants will experience a mix of classroom-based instruction and on-the-ground sessions. On June 26, the programme will concentrate on interactive discussions around modern coaching methods, with Irish expertise and world-class training approaches shared with local instructors. The following day, June 27, shifts the focus to direct involvement, as Lagos sports teachers and students take to the field together. The format is designed to introduce local young people to traditional Irish Gaelic sports, alongside a range of other sporting activities.
Ambassador Peter Ryan, Ireland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, said he was proud to see the launch taking shape.
“The Embassy of Ireland is thrilled to introduce this Sports Diplomacy Programme, which builds upon the incredibly rich sporting history shared between Ireland and Nigeria. By introducing Gaelic games and modern coaching techniques to these six Lagos schools, we are creating a vibrant space for youth empowerment and mutual learning. This initiative reflects our embassy’s deep, long-term commitment to nurturing friendship, talent, and stronger community ties between our two great nations.”
The programme’s development has come through collaboration between Team Ireland and local partners. Minister Chambers previously singled out Aduke Gomez of the Friends of Ireland in Nigeria and Remi Desalu for their key contributions in helping bring the project to fruition.
The pilot will be held at St. Finbarr’s College in Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.
