The National Sports Festival – from Lagos ’73 to Ogun 2024

On Friday, the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF), Nigeria’s premier multi-sport event for budding athletes, will commence in Abeokuta, Ogun State. This marks the second time Ogun is hosting the event, having first done so in 2006.

Here’s a brief history of the festival with highlights of host states and overall winners.

The inaugural edition of the NSF was held in 1973 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. For the first time after the civil war, athletes from across the country came together to compete in a peaceful atmosphere. Midwestern State, led by the sports-loving Military Governor Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia, won the first edition, beating host state Lagos.

The second edition took place in Lagos in 1975 and was also won by Midwestern State. In 1977, Kaduna hosted the festival, with Bendel State (created in 1976) emerging top. The 1979 edition, tagged ‘Oluyole ’79,’ was held in Ibadan, Oyo State, with Bendel State again topping the medals table. In 1981, the festival returned to Benin City, and Bendel State retained its dominance.

The NSF was postponed in 1983 due to political instability following a military coup, and again in 1984. Ilorin, Kwara State, hosted the 1985 edition. That year, junior and intermediate football teams were excluded due to their participation in the maiden FIFA U-16 tournament in China. Port Harcourt hosted in 1988, with Bendel State leading again. To fill the 1987 gap, Lagos hosted the 1989 edition and finished top of the medals table.

In 1991, the NSF moved to Bauchi but was disrupted by religious violence. Zone 2, comprising Bendel, Ondo, and Rivers states, topped the table. The festival didn’t hold in 1993, 1994, or 1995. It returned in 1996 in Makurdi, Benue State, after Bendel had been split into Edo and Delta states. Lagos emerged top in that edition.

With stability restored, the NSF resumed its biennial rhythm. Owerri, Imo State hosted in 1998, won by Lagos State. In 2000, the festival returned to Bauchi, where Team Delta, under Governor James Ibori, topped the medals table. Benin hosted again in 2002, with Team Edo winning. Abuja hosted in 2004, and Delta claimed victory again, repeating the feat in 2006 in Ogun.

Kaduna hosted the delayed 2009 KADA Games after seeking a one-year postponement. Team Delta, under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, topped the table. Rivers hosted in 2011, winning on home soil. Lagos hosted in 2012, and Delta again finished first. Though Cross River won the bid for 2014, the festival didn’t hold until 2018 in Abuja, where Team Delta, led by Ifeanyi Okowa, won.

Benin hosted for the third time in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the games to 2021. Delta State again dominated the medals table. In 2022, the festival returned to the South-South, with Delta hosting and winning once more.

Now, the stage is set for Ogun 2024. Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration has promised a memorable edition that will go down as one of the best in the festival’s history.