Sports
Tinubu Reaffirms 2030 Commonwealth Games Bid as Evaluation Committee Visits Abuja
Joel Ajayi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which would mark the first time the event is staged on African soil.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) leadership, led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, received the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee in Abuja on Thursday as part of the ongoing bid process.
Dikko said President Tinubu remains determined to bring the Games to Africa, describing the move as “a major step toward inclusivity in the Commonwealth sporting community.”
He assured the delegation of Nigeria’s readiness, highlighting Abuja’s facilities and infrastructure.
In his remarked, the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade Olopade stressed that Nigeria’s bid rests on strong foundations, including modern facilities, political will, private sector backing, and passionate citizen support.
He noted that a robust bid document, prepared by the committee led by Mainasara Illo, further strengthens Nigeria’s chances of securing the hosting rights.
“The key elements of a bid of this magnitude are facilities, political will, private sector backing and the passion of the people. This bid has all of these elements and much more to prove our seriousness,” Olopade said.
“We have put a very strong bid committee together led by Mainasara Illo, with a very robust bid document. Therefore, we are very optimistic that with all the engagements we will be having with the Commonwealth Games Bid Evaluation Committee led by Darren Hall, throughout their visit, it will be another major step towards Nigeria winning the rights to host the 2030 Games,” Olopade added.
The delegation, led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at the Commonwealth Sport Federation, was also received at the Presidential Villa by Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside nine cabinet members and other top officials, underscoring government-wide support for the bid.
The Commonwealth Sport delegation consisted of Darren Hall, Director of games and assurance and member of the 2030 Evaluation Commission; Ann-Louise Morgan, CS Director of sport; and Ezera Tshabangu, CS regional development manager for Africa and Europe.
With the visit of the Evaluation Committee, Nigeria’s campaign to host the 2030 Games has taken another significant step forward.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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