The 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival officially kicked off on Sunday with a spectacular opening ceremony held at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State, before an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 10,000 spectators.
The vibrant event, which lasted over four hours, highlighted the cultural richness of Ogun State and celebrated Nigeria’s sporting spirit. It began with a stirring performance of the national anthem and the Ogun State anthem by renowned singer and songwriter Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Asa.
Her soulful rendition set the tone for a series of captivating cultural performances and a colourful parade featuring all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and the Invited Junior Athletes, referred to as the 38th state in the festival lineup.
Afrobeats superstar Davido brought the ceremony to a thrilling close with an electrifying performance, delivering tracks from his newly released 5ive album alongside some of his classic hits.
More than 15,000 athletes are set to compete across 549 events in both individual and team sports, with a total of 2,150 medals—626 gold, 626 silver, and 898 bronze—available during the festival.
Often dubbed “Nigeria’s Olympics,” this year’s festival is among the most expansive in its history. Events will be hosted across multiple locations including Abeokuta, Ikenne, Sagamu, and Ijebu-Ode, showcasing Ogun State’s capacity to stage large-scale sporting events.
