Nigeria Confident for Successful African School Games in Abuja 2027

Nigeria Confident for Successful African School Games in Abuja 2027

Mallam Shehu Dikko, chairman of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC), expressed confidence that the country will host a flawless edition of the African School Games next year in Abuja. This assurance comes after a formal agreement was sealed between NSC and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).

Dikko highlighted that hosting major international events before puts Nigeria in good stead for the upcoming games, with particular emphasis on aligning preparations with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to reposition sports through grassroots initiatives.

In a bid to ensure a world-class competition, Dikko noted that NSC is collaborating closely with the Federal Ministry of Education and assured ANOCA that Nigeria will set new benchmarks in future editions. He pointed out that schools are crucial for nurturing talent, referencing recent successes such as the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative at the National Sports Festival.

Ambitious Infrastructure Improvements

Dikko also revealed plans to align preparations with the federal government’s agenda to upgrade infrastructure across the country. These improvements are seen not only as a preparation for Abuja 2027 but also a long-term commitment towards sustainable sports development in Nigeria.

Grassroots Programmes and Talent Identification

The chairman further emphasized that strengthening grassroots ventures is part of NSC’s ongoing strategy. This initiative aims to identify and develop young talents through initiatives like the IJA program, which plays a vital role in shaping future athletes for Nigerian sports.