“Niger Delta youths are creative and ready to compete. Beyond medals and trophies, these Games are about talent discovery.,
President Bola Tinubu has declared the second edition of the Niger Delta Games open, describing sports as a powerful instrument for unity, empowerment and talent discovery among youths of the region.
The Games were officially flagged off on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State, amid colourful cultural displays and fanfare.epresented by the Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh.
The President commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for sustaining the sports festival, noting that the initiative aligns with his administration’s priority on human capital development.
“Niger Delta youths are creative and ready to compete. Beyond medals and trophies, these Games are about talent discovery. Young talents must see sports as a pathway to career development and global recognition,” Tinubu said,
The president also call for greater investment in programmes that empower youths and women.
The week-long festival, themed “Beyond Oil: Harnessing Talents,” features over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states competing in 17 sports.
The athletes are camped at Benson Idahosa University, while events are staged across designated venues in Benin City. The Games are organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited and sponsored by the NDDC.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who hosted the event, announced a ₦20 million cash reward for the overall winners and ₦10 million for the runners-up.
He described the Games as more than a competition, but a symbol of resilience, unity and the boundless human potential of the Niger Delta.
“These Games show that the Niger Delta is not only defined by its natural resources, but by its talents and possibilities. Through sports, discipline is taught, character is built and boundaries disappear,” the governor said.
Managing Director of the NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to sustaining the festival, stressing that the competition was designed strictly for amateur athletes to ensure genuine talent development within the states.
Also speaking, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Asuquo Ekenyoung, pledged continued legislative support for youth development initiatives and urged athletes to compete with pride and integrity.
The Niger Delta Games will run until February 26, 2026, with organisers expressing optimism that the festival will continue to serve as a platform for discovering and nurturing future national and international sports stars from the region.
