By John Cheche
Credit: Directorate of Public Communication, University of Ibadan

In a society where physical strength is often celebrated as the pinnacle of performance, Professor Olufemi Adegbola Adegbesan, a seasoned Professor of Sports and Exercise Psychology at the University of Ibadan, is shifting the conversation. His message is clear: you can’t win the outer game if you haven’t mastered the inner game.

Delivering the 587th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan on behalf of the Faculty of Education, Professor Adegbesan proposed a groundbreaking idea—the creation of mental game clinics in Nigerian universities and sports centres. These clinics, he argued, would not only enhance athletic performance but also equip individuals with the mental resilience needed to excel in life’s high-pressure moments.

His lecture, aptly titled “A Mental Game: Revolutionalising Sports and Exercise Through the Lens of Sports Psychology Partnership,” emphasized that mental preparation is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Inside the Mental Game

Professor Adegbesan unpacked the concept of the “mental game”—a suite of psychological traits that define elite performance. These traits include:

• Mental toughness

• Confidence

• Motivation

• Focus

• Emotional regulation

• Resilience

He noted that while physical training builds strength, it is the mental edge that determines whether an individual crumbles under pressure or rises to the occasion. Mental game clinics, he proposed, would serve as structured environments for learning essential skills such as stress management, anxiety reduction, confidence building, and cultivating a growth mindset—tools valuable in sports, academics, leadership, and everyday life.

Beyond the Field: Life as a Mental Game

Professor Adegbesan was quick to point out that mental strength is not exclusive to athletes. The pressure of exams, high-stakes presentations, or life-changing decisions can test anyone’s psychological limits. By teaching people how to manage setbacks and embrace failure as a learning tool, mental game clinics could transform lives far beyond the sports arena.

Despite a growing global awareness of the importance of sports psychology, the Nigerian context still lags behind. “Too many coaches and athletes ignore the mental aspects of performance,” he said. “But without the mental dimension, even the most physically talented athletes can fall short.”

Linking Research with Real Impact

Citing evidence from sports psychology research, Professor Adegbesan stressed the need to investigate deeper into factors like motivation, focus, imagery, confidence, and stress resilience. He advocated for sustained research investment and stronger partnerships between academia, government, and the private sector to build integrated training centres that merge physical and psychological conditioning.

In a strategic move to elevate Nigerian sports, he issued a challenge to the National Sports Commission (NSC):

• Make sports psychologists part of every technical team.

• Use psychological evaluations in athlete selection.

• Leverage global best practices in sports psychology to advance Nigeria’s sporting economy.

A Vision for Nigeria’s Sporting Future

Professor Adegbesan’s lecture wasn’t just informative—it was visionary. It called on policymakers, coaches, educators, and wellness professionals to think beyond drills and gym routines. It’s time to revolutionise Nigerian sports from the inside out, focusing not only on the body but on the mind.

As Nigeria works to build a high-performing youth population and a resilient sporting industry, the establishment of mental game clinics may just be the game-changer we’ve been waiting for.

The lecture, which marked the tenth inaugural presentation of the 2024/2025 academic session, once again affirmed the University of Ibadan’s position as a beacon of research excellence and thought leadership on the continent.

This blog post is adapted from the official report by the Directorate of Public Communication, University of Ibadan, originally posted on https://www.facebook.com/uniibadan.uniibadan.

Dr. Ayodele John Alonge and OptimisticScholar join the world in celebrating and congratulating the amiable, tenacious, and inspiring Professor Olufemi Adegbola Adegbesan—a mentor to many—for this landmark lecture and his outstanding contributions to the growth of sports psychology in Nigeria and beyond.