Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called for stronger bilateral relations between the state and Tunisia, particularly in sports development, grassroots football and institutional collaboration.
Abiodun made the call on Saturday when the Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Mohsen Antit, visited Abeokuta in connection with the CAF Confederation Cup engagement between Shooting Stars of Ibadan and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, said Ogun was interested in learning from Tunisia’s experience in developing football at both grassroots and professional levels.
He said the state was particularly interested in the systems that had helped Tunisian clubs establish themselves as major forces in African football.
Abiodun specifically sought collaboration in the development and repositioning of Gateway Football Club, noting 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 and successful records in CAF competitions.
According to him, Ogun has 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 said 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.
He added 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.
He stressed that the objective was not only to produce talented footballers but also to establish structures capable of competing effectively at domestic and continental levels.
The governor consequently directed relevant officials of the state government to engage with Tunisian diplomatic authorities on areas where immediate collaboration could commence.
He said Ogun’s ambition was 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, Antit expressed Tunisia’s readiness to strengthen relations with Ogun State, particularly in areas where his country had developed considerable expertise.
The ambassador explained 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 said Tunisian clubs had benefited from systems that emphasised the identification and nurturing of young players while creating clear pathways for their progression into professional football.
Antit welcomed the governor’s proposal for cooperation, saying Tunisia was willing to explore areas of mutual interest that could benefit both sides.
He expressed optimism that exchanges involving football administrators, coaches and young players from Ogun and Tunisia would provide opportunities for knowledge transfer and capacity building.
The ambassador added that the proposed cooperation could extend beyond football to sports, education, culture, tourism and investment, thereby creating a broader framework for stronger relations between Ogun State and Tunisia.
