Enugu will host the 23rd National Sports Festival this month, with President Bola Tinubu expected to declare the games open on November 28, 2026, according to the National Sports Commission.
Contingents from across the country are expected to start arriving on November 26. About 12,000 athletes and officials are expected to take part.
“The date is sacrosanct”
Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission, confirmed the date on October 29 at the close of a joint technical meeting at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Independence Layout, Enugu. The meeting followed an inspection of venues.
Olopade described the opening date as “sacrosanct” and called Enugu “a secure sporting city”, urging Nigerians to disregard what he called negative narratives about the state.
Where preparations stand
- Contractors have mobilised to renovate and brand the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and other venues.
- A federally funded swimming pool, started about a month before the meeting, is expected to be ready by November 18.
- Equipment that officials had raised concerns about has been bought and will be deployed, the commission said.
Lloyd Ekweremadu, Enugu’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, assured officials that issues raised during the inspection would be fixed before the opening ceremony.
A chance for local talent
The festival is also a stage for young athletes from the state. In March, Nsukka Education Zone won the Governor Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Sports Championship for the third year running, with 10 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze medals. At that event, Ekweremadu said talent discovered at the schools games would be developed for the national youth games and the sports festival.
For residents, the festival means visitors, busier roads and business for hotels, transport operators and traders around the venues. We will report on road closures and venue arrangements as they are announced.
