The 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival officially kicked off on Sunday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, with a live opening ceremony that highlighted Nigeria’s vast cultural diversity.
The 36 states and the FCT with their invited Junior Athletes (IJA) and athletes all paraded in beautiful costumes in a vibrant demonstration of solidarity and custom. Every state came with their distinct culture and tradition, making this ceremony one of the most carefully organized and skillfully orchestrated in the nation’s sporting history.
A heartfelt rendition of the national anthem and Ogun State anthem by well-known musician and songwriter Bukola Elemide, better known by her stage name Asa, kicked off the opening ceremony, which lasted for well over four hours.
A gathering of more than 10,000 people witnessed the opening ceremony, with the theme “Gateway Games 2024”, provided a spectacle that captured the essence, culture, tradition and variety of Nigeria.
Vice President Kashim Shettima declared the festival open on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, kicking off what is expected to be one of the largest in the event’s 52-year history.
More than 15,000 participants will compete in 549 events, offering 2,150 medals in individual and team sports.
Known as Nigeria’s Olympic equivalent, the multisport competition is expected to be one of the biggest in the festival’s history, with 626 gold, 626 silver, and 898 bronze medals up for grabs.
A variety of locations, including the state capital, Abeokuta, Ikenne, Sagamu, and Ijebu-Ode, will host the festival.
President Tinubu, who was ably represented at the event by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, charged the participating athletes to compete favourably with integrity in the spirit of true sportsmanship.
The opening ceremony held inside the main bowl of MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta had in attendance dignitaries of different walk of life, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, Governors of Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States respectively- Prof Charles Soludo, Abiodun Oyebamiji and Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Other dignitaries present were the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, former governors of Ogun state, Chief Olusegun Osoba and current Senator representing Ogun East at the Senate, Sen Otunba Gbenga Daniel, curent Senator representing Ogun West, Sen Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, former Super Eagles captain, Dr Segun Odegbami among other top political functionaries and sports enthusiasts from across the country.
The festival holds between May 16 and 30, 2025.
President Tinubu, while declaring the sporting fiesta open, said that sport remains the soul of Nigeria’s togetherness, saying nothing unites the country like sport.
According to President Tinubu, the government reorganized sport administration to become a separate National Sport Commission since it recognized sport as a way of life.
Tinubu also claimed that his government had freed the management of sports from the constraints of politics and special interests.
“We want it to thrive, autonomous, innovative, and focused because we recognized it’s critical role in making the nation healthier, stronger and a more united Nigeria. Indeed, nothing has brought the nation together like sport, whether on the pitch, in the court, or on the track. We are reminded daily that we’re not strangers to one another, we are compatriots drawn from different roots but drinking from the same well of national pride,” he said.
National Sports Commission Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, commended the Ogun state government for accepting to host the festival, which according to him, demonstrated its commitment towards sports development.
He noted that sports has always been a tool to celebrate the nation’s diversity and unity.
“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.
“This decision has also strengthened sports to be one of the key drivers of our economy.
“Indeed, this clearly underlines the futuristic vision of Mr President and a clear propensity to take bold decisions, so long he believes they are right and for the collective good of all.
“Indeed, history will be kind to Mr President for this decision, not just in the sports sector but across other political and social sectors of the country.
“For the first time in the history of the sports festival and in line with the agenda of the Tinubu’s government, we introduced the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) and we have over 200 of them participating in this festival,” he said.
The Director-General of the NSC also in his speech, Bukola Olopade expressed confidence that the 2024 sports festival “will be the best sporting festival ever in the country’s history.
He added that the festival would produce many champions with hidden talents, which he promised would be nurtured to perfection.
Olopade lauded Gov Abiodun for his unwavering support and commitment to ensure the festival is a success.
The NSC DG added that “This is a very emotional speech for me. 19 years ago, I stood on the tracks of this stadium as a sports commissioner in Ogun
“We are sure and very convinced that this would be the best festival you’ll observe in the country. We’re convinced that the festival will produce many champions.”
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