Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has promised a spectacular opening ceremony for the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), which is set to kick off on May 16 at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex.

The Governor has assured that the state would exceed expectations with an extraordinary show at the opening ceremony.

“We are going to have a colourful and spectacular opening ceremony, unlike anything seen before in the history of the National Sports Festival.

Come watch our show, says Prince Dapo Abiodun

“Beyond the opening ceremony, we want attendees to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the games, which is why we are ensuring all our tourist centres are in top shape before the festival begins,” he said.

For the visiting teams, the Governor mentioned that efforts are in full swing to prepare all tourist centres scattered across the state.

“We want our visitors to look forward to returning to Ogun State, which is why we have temporarily closed all our tourist centres, including the popular Olumo Rock, to ensure they are in excellent condition for our guests to enjoy during the games.

“We want all our visitors to feel at home and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere set for the festival,” he added.

Segun Odegbami, the state’s Grand Sports Ambassador, commended the Governor’s visionary leadership as Ogun hosts the biggest sporting event in Africa, aside from the African Games.

“I must commend the vision of Mr. Governor. All the necessary elements to stage a world-class sporting event have been put in place for the festival, and we eagerly await the arrival of our visitors.

“We aim to showcase the state’s potential through the NSF, and we believe all our guests will enjoy the warm hospitality of the Gateway State from May 16 to 30,” Odegbami said after being appointed as the Grand Sports Ambassador by the Governor.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The newly renovated MKO Abiola Sports Complex, which will host the opening ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival on Sunday, has started getting the dividends on the makeover that the stadium has received.

The last time that the stadium hosted an international match was on 27 March 2007 when the Super Eagles beat Uganda 1-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The only other Grade A international match at the stadium was Nigeria’s 2-0 defeat of Burundi on 23 January 1999 in another Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The renovation of the stadium for the National Sports Festival has brought the arena back into international reckoning.

On Sunday, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, declared that Nigeria’s senior female football team, the Super Falcons, will play the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in an international friendly match at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, on May 31st and June 3rd.

In addition, the arena will host Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Togo, Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria in a West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Under-17 Championship in September 2025.

Gusau made this known when he led other executive members of the NFF on a courtesy call to the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in Abeokuta on Sunday.

“We are organizing a friendly match for our senior female national team, the Super Falcons, against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, which will take place at the end of this month.

“We have arranged two-legged matches; the first leg will be played on May 31st, and the second will be played on June 3rd.

“So, we plan to play the first match on May 31st at Remo Stars Stadium, and the second match will be played in Abeokuta, so the match on June 3rd will be held at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex.

As the acting President of WAFU B, I have tried to secure the hosting rights for the Under-17 qualifications from WAFU B, which will consist of about seven countries: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Togo, Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria.

“We secured the hosting rights, and I informed them that we are going to host it in Ogun State,” he said.

Gusau also noted that the federation under his leadership had been able to sanitize the Nigeria Professional Football League.

“When we came on board, everybody knew you could not talk about the Nigeria Premier League because nobody could tell you when the league would start or when it would end.

“But we made a promise to ensure we do what is right, and we must do our best to make sure that the Nigeria Premier League aligns with other leagues around the world, and by this season, we were able to achieve that,” he said.

In his remarks, Governor Abiodun appreciated the management of the NFF for restructuring and repositioning the Premier League, which he said now occupies its pride of place among premier leagues all over the world.

Governor Abiodun also stated that his administration is working towards developing a sports economy in the state, saying that all hands are on deck to ensure that the National Sports Festival becomes a reference point in hosting festivals in the country.

The Governor also praised Remo Stars Football Club for lifting the Nigeria Professional Football League trophy, noting that it had been over twenty years since a football club from the state or the Southwest achieved such a feat.

“We will build an economy around sports, and I want to thank you for supporting us in that. Besides that fact, we are going to host the All-African Under-18 and Under-20 athletics in July, which will take place here because of the facilities we now have.

“You have also announced that there will be a few matches played here, and we are very excited about that. This will help us strengthen the sports economy that we have begun to ensure we sustain this stadium that we have built,” he said.

The Governor also pledged the support of his administration towards ensuring that the state-owned team reclaims its place of pride among the comity of football teams in the country.

“As a government, I want to pledge that we will do everything to support sports, particularly football. Our Gateway Football Club—whatever it is that we are going to do, whichever way—we will invest.

“Because they say charity begins at home, we couldn’t have made such an investment, and then they will not win the Premier League,” he said.

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President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday in Abuja, flagged off the Torch of Unity Movement for the 22nd National Sports Festival and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting and providing an enabling environment for sports development.

The sports festival tagged the Gateway Games, will take place in Ogun State from May 16 to May 30.

President Tinubu described sports as a unifying force and a catalyst for youth engagement, national cohesion, and economic growth.

The President called on the public and private sectors to actively contribute to Nigerian sports development, particularly in infrastructure expansion, talent identification, athlete nurturing, and sponsorship of sporting events.

He stressed that enhanced collaboration is essential for advancing the nation’s sporting potential and ensuring Nigeria remains a dominant force in global sports.

The President described the Torch of Unity as a symbol of peace, strength, and solidarity. The torch will herald the festival by travelling through all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

President Tinubu received the torch from the National Sports Commission Chairman, Shehu Dikko.

“Since the inception of the National Sports Festival in 1973, the games have been a veritable vehicle for the interaction and integration of our sportsmen and women.

“This festival provides a platform for all states and the FCT to showcase their sporting prowess under healthy competition, sportsmanship and friendly interaction to enhance and strengthen national unity.

“The games represent much more than just a competition of athletic skill; they embody the unity, strength, and resilience that define us as a nation.

“Every step we take together towards the festival is not merely an act of preparation for a sporting event, but a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to national building through sports,” the President stated.

The President recognised the contributions of Nigeria’s sporting legends and paid tribute to Olympic medallist and the National Torch Bearer, Falilat Ogunkoya.

He commended her dedication to promoting unity and sports excellence in Nigeria and Africa.

The President also extended his best wishes to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe Warriors in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, later on, Tuesday, expressing confidence in their ability to secure victory.

Governor Dapo Abiodun said Ogun State is fully prepared to host a world-class event, welcoming over 10,000 athletes in a festival designed to set new records.

He noted that elite Nigerian athletes such as Anthony Joshua and Tobi Amusan would grace the occasion, further reinforcing Nigeria’s status as a global sporting powerhouse.

“As Nelson Mandela once said, sports can change the world. They can inspire and unite people in a way that little else can.

“The unity torch, as it journeys across the federation, is not merely a symbol of the forthcoming games but a reflection of our shared aspirations and collective identity.

“As the proud host of the 22nd National Sports Festival, we are not only ready to host over 10,000 athletes and officials but also to warmly welcome guests and supporters from every corner of the federation.

“For the first time in the history of the National Sports Festival, all our athletes will be housed within a single purpose-built facility, ensuring comfort, convenience and camaraderie.

“Our sporting infrastructure meets international standards, and we have left no stone unturned in delivering a festival that will set new records in organisation, participation and excellence.

“Our facilities are ready, our people are enthusiastic, and our athletes are prepared to showcase the best Nigerian sporting talent to the world,” he said.

Governor Abiodun thanked President Tinubu for ensuring peace in Nigeria, emphasising that “without peace, there will be no sports festival.”

He commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigeria Olympic Committee and all stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the forthcoming festival.

The chairman of the NSC described the National Sports Festival as Nigeria’s version of the Olympic Games adding that for the first time, the Commission has invited the best junior athletes in the country to participate under its sponsorship.

 He said these young athletes will compete under the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) category, marking a historic inclusion in the festival.

Later, at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, the deputy governor of Delta State, Monday

Onyeme, representing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, handed over the Festival Torch of Unity to the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko.

President Tinubu received the torch from Dikko, who in turn passed it to the chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, Bukola Olopade, who then entrusted it to Falilat Ogunkoya

Ogunkoya, the NationalTorch Bearer for its journey across the country.

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