Abidjan: President Bola Tinubu has urged governments at all levels to utilize sports as a catalyst for economic growth and development. Tinubu made this statement on Thursday at the closing ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), known as the ‘Gateway Games 2024’ in Abeokuta.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Team Delta emerged as the overall winner of the festival, securing a total of 323 medals. The 14-day event saw the participation of over 9,000 athletes competing in 33 sports across various venues in Ogun. During his address, Tinubu, represented by Senate President Sen. Godswill Akpabio, expressed a commitment to transforming the country’s fortunes and ensuring a promising future for upcoming generations. He emphasized the role of sports as a driver of economic activities and a promoter of unity across different tribes, ethnicities, languages, and religions.
Tinubu highlighted the festival as a celebration of national unity and the resilient spirit of Nigerians, noting that sports contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He called for the integration of sports into school curricula to revitalize the sector. The president also praised stakeholders, especially Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, for providing the necessary infrastructure for the festival’s success.
Governor Abiodun expressed gratitude to the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their integrity in ensuring fair competition. He congratulated the athletes for their dedication and sportsmanship, urging them to leave the festival with pride in representing their state and the nation.
NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko commended the Ogun government for successfully hosting the festival. He noted that the quality of infrastructure and hospitality set a new benchmark, showcasing the growing viability of the sports economy in Nigeria. Dikko praised Tinubu’s support for sports development as a unifying and transformative tool for the nation.
The event concluded with the handover of the festival flag to Enugu State, the next host of the 2026 National Sports Festival. The NSF, a biennial multi-sport event organized by the Federal Government of Nigeria, aims to foster unity, sportsmanship, and excellence among athletes nationwide.