ABEOKUTA, Nigeria – The 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival officially opened on Sunday with a dazzling and energetic ceremony at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, drawing an estimated crowd of 10,000 spectators and showcasing the rich cultural heritage and sporting spirit of Ogun State and Nigeria.
The opening ceremony, which lasted more than four hours, blended music, culture, and tradition to set the stage for what is expected to be an exciting multi-sport event.
The stadium was transformed into a vibrant canvas of colours and movement as the country’s best athletes and performers converged to launch the biennial festival.
Renowned Nigerian-French singer and songwriter Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Asa, opened the evening with soulful renditions of the national anthem and the Ogun State anthem.
Her captivating performance struck a patriotic chord with the audience and set a high tone for the evening’s proceedings.
Following Asa’s appearance, the arena came alive with a series of electrifying performances, including traditional dances, musical interludes, and cultural showcases that paid tribute to the diversity and unity of Nigeria’s people.
The colourful march-past of contingents from the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Invited Junior Athletes, who were introduced as the symbolic “38th state,” drew loud cheers from the stands.
Each delegation proudly displayed its unique cultural identity through attire, chants, and formations, as they paraded across the stadium in a spectacle of unity in diversity. Ogun State’s contingent, as the host, received a particularly warm reception from the home crowd.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, while declaring the festival open, welcomed athletes and spectators to the state, emphasizing the importance of unity, sportsmanship, and youth development.
“The National Sports Festival is not just a competition—it is a celebration of our collective strength and a platform for identifying the next generation of champions,” he said.
The evening reached its climax with a high-energy performance by Afrobeats megastar Davido. The award-winning artist thrilled the crowd with a medley of hits from his newly released 5ive album, interspersed with fan favourites from his extensive discography.
His appearance added a layer of glamour and excitement to an already electrifying event, with fans dancing and singing along under the bright stadium lights.
The National Sports Festival, often referred to as Nigeria’s “Olympics,” is scheduled to run for two weeks and features competitions in over 30 sports. It is expected to serve as a platform for scouting talents for future national and international events.
With Ogun State stepping into the national spotlight, the successful opening ceremony has set a promising tone for a memorable festival that aims to foster unity, celebrate athletic excellence, and promote national pride across Nigeria.
