22nd National Sports Festival: Tinubu lights torch of unity, reaffirms commitment to sports devt
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday launched the Torch of Unity Movement for the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abuja, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to advancing sports development in Nigeria.
The festival, dubbed the Gateway Games, is set to take place in Ogun State from May 16 to May 30, 2025.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.
During the flag-off ceremony, President Tinubu emphasised the unifying power of sports, describing it as a key catalyst for youth engagement, national cohesion, and economic growth.
He also urged both the public and private sectors to actively contribute to the development of Nigerian sports, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, talent identification, athlete nurturing, and event sponsorship.
“Enhanced collaboration is essential for advancing the nation’s sporting potential and ensuring Nigeria remains a dominant force in global sports,” the president said.
The President also highlighted the significance of the Torch of Unity, which will travel across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the festival.
He noted that since its inception in 1973, the National Sports Festival has been a vital platform for the integration and interaction of young athletes from all parts of Nigeria.
“Since the inception of the National Sports Festival in 1973, the games have been a veritable vehicle for the interaction and integration of our young 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 statement read partly.
Also, the President also took the opportunity to recognise Nigerian sporting legends, particularly Olympic medalist Falilat Ogunkoya, who was named the National Torch Bearer for the festival.
He commended her for her efforts in promoting unity and sports excellence both in Nigeria and across Africa.
In his remarks, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State expressed the state’s readiness to host a world-class event, with more than 10,000 athletes expected to attend.
Abiodun also noted that top Nigerian athletes, including Anthony Joshua and Tobi Amusan, would grace the festival, underscoring Nigeria’s status as a global sporting powerhouse.
He also assured the public that the state’s sports infrastructure meets international standards and that the athletes will enjoy an unparalleled experience at the festival.
For the first time in the history of the National Sports Festival, all athletes will be housed in a single purpose-built facility, ensuring both comfort and camaraderie, according to the governor.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, described the National Sports Festival as Nigeria’s equivalent of the Olympics, announcing that, for the first time, the NSC had invited the country’s top junior athletes to compete under its sponsorship.
