Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has stated that the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), scheduled to hold from May 16 to 30, will go beyond a celebration of athletics — it will serve as a springboard for building a sustainable sports economy in the state.
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Hosting the NSF for the second time since 2006, Ogun State is set to welcome athletes and visitors from across the country. Speaking on Tuesday, May 6, Governor Abiodun described the event as a strategic move by his administration to enhance sports infrastructure and unlock economic opportunities.
“As a forward-thinking government, our initiatives are intentional. We’ve significantly upgraded our infrastructure, including major roads, in preparation for this festival,” he said. “Winning the bid was just the beginning. We now realize the scale of this endeavor, but our progress reassures us that we are on the right path. The economic ripple effect is already evident — hotels are fully booked and local traders are thriving.”
He noted that the original aim of the NSF was national unity, a vision Ogun has fully embraced. “We’re already witnessing the positive impact, even before the games kick off. This goes beyond sports. We are boosting the state’s GDP and transforming sports facilities into economic and tourism assets,” Abiodun added.
The governor also guaranteed safety for all athletes and officials, stating that security has been tightened and shuttle buses provided to ensure smooth transportation to event venues.
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