The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has described the signing of the Games Hosting Agreement for the 2027 African School Games as a landmark achievement for Nigerian sports and a major boost to the Federal Government’s commitment to grassroots sports development under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Hon. Adeboye, who witnessed the historic signing ceremony between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) in Abuja, said the successful bid to host the continental event reinforces Nigeria’s growing reputation as a leading destination for international sporting competitions.
According to the SSA, the African School Games perfectly align with the vision of his office, as school sports remain the foundation for discovering, nurturing, and developing future champions.
“This is a defining moment for grassroots sports development in Nigeria. The African School Games are more than just a sporting competition; they represent an investment in the future of African children and an opportunity to discover and nurture the next generation of champions.”
Hon. Adeboye commended the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for their visionary leadership in securing the hosting rights and for their unwavering commitment to repositioning Nigerian sports through strategic reforms and grassroots-focused initiatives.
He noted that the event will create opportunities for thousands of young athletes across Nigeria and Africa while leaving behind lasting legacies in sports infrastructure, talent development, education, tourism, and youth empowerment.
“Hosting the African School Games will inspire millions of young people to embrace sports while providing them with a platform to showcase their talents. It will also strengthen our school sports system, encourage greater investment in grassroots infrastructure, and deepen collaboration between sports and education.”
The SSA further stated that the hosting rights complement the ongoing efforts of his office to expand grassroots sports programmes, promote community participation, improve sporting infrastructure across the country, and establish sustainable pathways for talent identification and athlete development.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development to working closely with the National Sports Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education, sports federations, and other stakeholders to ensure that the Games leave a lasting impact on Nigerian sports.
“Our vision goes beyond hosting a successful tournament. We want the African School Games to become a catalyst for the revival of school sports and grassroots sports development across Nigeria. Every child deserves the opportunity to discover and develop his or her talent, and this event brings us closer to achieving that goal.”
Hon. Adeboye added that the successful hosting of the Games would further demonstrate Nigeria’s capacity to organize world-class international sporting events while advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through youth development, national unity, and sports-driven economic growth.
The SSA expressed confidence that, with the collaboration of the National Sports Commission, ANOCA, educational institutions, and other stakeholders, Abuja 2027 would set a new benchmark for school sports competitions on the African continent.
