Victoria Mbangwa
President Bola Tinubu has officially opened the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games 2024,” in Abeokuta, Ogun State, bringing together over 10,000 athletes in a celebration of national unity and sporting excellence.
Held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, the grand opening ceremony brought together a star-studded mix of dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, and Governors Charles Soludo (Anambra), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Abiodun Oyebamiji (Ekiti). The stadium roared with pride as sports legends, political leaders, and cultural icons united under one flag.
Tinubu was represented by the his vice Kashim Shettima, in his address, he emphasized that sports serve as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s unity. “Indeed, nothing has brought the nation together like sport on the pitch, on the track, or in the stands. It reminds us daily that we are one people, bonded by shared dreams and national pride,” he said.
The president highlighted a major stride by his administration: the restructuring of the sports sector into an autonomous National Sports Commission, breaking it free from political interference. “We want sports to thrive independent, innovative, and focused because it plays a vital role in building a stronger, healthier, and more united Nigeria,” he added.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, host of the festival, described the event as “Ogun-standard” and world-class. He stated that hosting the festival reflects the state’s commitment not just to sports, but to national development.
Chairman of the newly reestablished National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, praised the Tinubu administration’s bold reforms. “It is not just a sporting event; it is a celebration of our diversity, our unity, and our shared aspiration to build a stronger Nigeria through the power of sport,” he said. He also introduced a groundbreaking feature of this year’s event: the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) category, with over 200 promising young talents participating.
NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade echoed the optimism, declaring that the 2024 edition “will be the best sporting festival in Nigeria’s history.” Reflecting on his journey from a commissioner in Ogun to leading the NSC, Olopade spoke emotionally about the festival’s potential to uncover hidden stars and elevate grassroots sports development.
The National Sports Festival runs from May 16 to 30, 2025, and serves as a celebration of Nigeria’s cultural diversity, resilience, and the transformative power of sport.
