The 20th edition of the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) officially kicked off on Sunday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with industry leaders reaffirming their commitment to employee wellness, unity, and cross-sector collaboration.
The milestone edition of the Games brings together 15 companies from across the oil and gas value chain, competing in 13 sporting events over a one-week period, underscoring what organisers described as the industry’s shared values and collective strength.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Engr. Sulaiman Sulaiman, said the 20th anniversary of NOGIG reflects the cohesion and resilience of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector beyond its core operations.
According to him, the level of participation recorded this year demonstrates a growing recognition of wellness as a strategic driver of productivity and operational excellence within the industry.
Sulaiman expressed appreciation to the Grand Patron of NOGIG and Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, as well as the chief executives and management teams of participating organisations, for prioritising staff wellbeing and supporting the Games despite tight operational schedules.
He also commended members of the Local Organising Committee and its subcommittees—including Technical, Security, Medical, Logistics, Accreditation, Media, Welfare, and Protocol—for months of coordinated planning that ensured a successful opening.
On safety and organisation, the LOC Chairman assured participants that comprehensive security measures had been implemented in collaboration with relevant agencies.
He noted that fully equipped medical teams, ambulances, trained sports coordinators, and qualified referees had been deployed across all venues to guarantee fairness, neutrality, and adherence to established rules.
Emphasising the broader purpose of the Games, Sulaiman said NOGIG transcends competition, serving as a platform to strengthen industry collaboration, promote wellness as a strategic priority, and foster teamwork across organisations.
“We are not professional athletes,” he said, “but professionals who understand that a healthy workforce is essential to operational excellence.”
He urged participants to uphold discipline, respect match officials, and conduct themselves with integrity and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
As activities commenced for the week-long event, Sulaiman called on stakeholders to demonstrate that the Nigerian oil and gas sector remains organised, disciplined, united, and capable of excellence beyond energy production.
“While we are competitors on the field,” he added, “we remain partners in powering Nigeria.”
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