The Chief Operating Officer of the Nationwide League One (NLO), Olushola Ogunnowo, has offered study scholarships to selected members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to undertake an international Sports Journalism programme in the United Kingdom.

The scholarship will enable the beneficiaries to enrol in the Level 5 International Sports Journalism Programme at El Roi London University as part of the institution's October 2026 academic cohort.

The initiative is aimed at enhancing the professional capacity of Nigerian sports journalists and equipping them with global best practices in sports reporting and media practice.

Confirming the development in a statement issued on Thursday through the Association's Secretary-General, Ambassador Ikenna Okonkwo, SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin disclosed that the names of the successful beneficiaries had already been forwarded to the appropriate authorities for the next phase of the admission process.

Benjamin described the scholarship as a significant investment in the future of sports journalism in Nigeria, noting that continuous training remains one of the key priorities of the current SWAN leadership.

"We appreciate this gesture and it gladdens our hearts. This will no doubt go a long way to help our members improve their skills. It is important to note that we are committed towards improving the professional capacity of our members.

"Our doors are always open to welcome any form of support that will improve the working skills of our members. We want to specially thank Shola Ogunnowo for this unforgettable gesture."

The SWAN President also revealed that the association is expanding its capacity-building agenda through partnerships with individuals and corporate organisations across the country.

According to him, plans are already underway to organise more comprehensive training programmes for sports journalists in different parts of Nigeria.

"Training and retraining of our members will certainly enhance their capacity to carry out their duties in a more professional manner."

Benjamin reaffirmed the association's commitment to ensuring that members continue to benefit from regular human capacity development initiatives, stressing that a well-trained sports media remains essential to the growth of Nigerian sports.

The scholarship programme marks another milestone in efforts to strengthen sports journalism in Nigeria through international education and professional development opportunities, while underscoring Ogunnowo's commitment to supporting the advancement of media practitioners covering the nation's sporting industry.