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
Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit
Joel Ajayi
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.
Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.
The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.
He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.
“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.
“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.
He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.
According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.
On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.
He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.
He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.
Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.
He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.
A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.
The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.
Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.
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