Featured

Youth Ministry Meets with BPE On Sports Infrastructure Rehabilitation

Published

6 years ago

March 3, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare, in continuation of the process of rehabilitating the National Stadium Surelere, Lagos and the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, met with representatives of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) on Tuesday in his office at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

The Minister who has been in touch with the BPE and other bodies to ensure private funding and commercialization of sports in the country which is an integral part of his administration, said they are at the point of documentation after several processes

“The BPE along with the ITRC are critical partners with whom we have been having conversations and now have reached the point where we are putting together documents so that we can have private funds for sports development.

“We have started the process because we witnessed certain changes sometime in November, there is a new commitment to look at it in a holistic manner such that we can use the National Stadium Surelere, Lagos and the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja for full commercialization.”

The Minister stated that all was being done in line with global benchmarks and separable standards, following the global template and expressed hope that the project would be ready in 10-16 months.

In response, Mr. Alex Okoh who is the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises expressed optimism in the success of the projects, adding that they had all elements in place to deliver in a timely manner with the political will coming from the Minister and the Nigerian Government.

Share on Facebook

Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

Share on Facebook