Nigeria Sports Arena

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has constituted a high-level Diaspora Talent Discovery Committee, drawing on a pool of seasoned Nigerian sports professionals and stakeholders across the globe to strengthen talent identification and engagement beyond the country’s borders. The Committee is chaired by UK-based sports administrator, Dr. Tunde Adelakun, who previously worked with the Nigeria national football team and the Benin national football team. His appointment was on the back of the NSC’s resolve to leverage global expertise to enhance Nigeria’s sports development framework. In furtherance of this vision, the Commission has now unveiled the full membership of the Committee, comprising individuals with strong diaspora networks, influence, and proven track records in sports and related fields. Members include respected sports journalist Colin Udoh, retired track and field star Olusoji Fasuba, former athlete Marilyn Okoro, table tennis legend Olufunke Oshonaike, and fo...

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially constituted the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 3rd edition of the National Para Games, reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and the continued development of para sports in Nigeria. The National Para Games is an annual multi-sport event organized by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the NSC. The Games provide a competitive platform for Nigerian men and women living with disabilities, promoting excellence, healthy competition, and national unity through sports. The Commission has now constituted a thirteen-member Local Organising Committee made up of men and women of integrity to deliver a world-class Games.  The Committee is chaired by the Director, National Sports Festival & Para Sports Department, Mrs. Thecla Opara, while Mrs. Hauwa Saibu, serves as Secretary. Other members of the Committee include Raphael Odo, Mohammed Rabiu, Abdullahi Libata, Lambu Umar, Dr. Ozi Salami, Kola ...

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has been honoured with the prestigious Sports Administrator of the Year award at the New Telegraph Awards, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to sports development in Nigeria. The award, which took place on Friday, celebrated Olopade’s transformative leadership, administrative excellence and longstanding commitment to building sustainable sports structures across the country. A seasoned sports administrator, Olopade has served twice as Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, where he spearheaded progressive reforms and talent development initiatives. His leadership footprint also spans multiple strategic roles within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem. He is a former President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, where he championed inclusivity and the advancement of para-sports.  He also served as Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria National League (NNL), strengthening...

With eight days left to the 11th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, excitement continues to build as organisers reaffirm the strong financial incentives on offer for athletes across multiple race categories, further underlining the event’s status as Africa’s biggest road race. In the 10km race for both men and women, prize money has been fixed to reward top performances, with ₦500,000 set aside for first place, ₦400,000 for second, ₦300,000 for third, ₦200,000 for fourth, and ₦100,000 for fifth.  The structure reflects the marathon’s commitment to encouraging broad participation while rewarding excellence beyond the elite marathon distance. Beyond the 10km category, significant financial rewards have already been announced for other races.  The elite 42km international marathon will share a total prize purse of $250,000, with $50,000 awarded to the winner and cash prizes extending to the top eight finishers, reinforcing the race’s World Athletics Gold Label status. N...

Barau Football Club, held Bendel Insurance to a goalless draw in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 23 encounter played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin Edo state. The match, which took place on Thursday, saw the visitors, Barau FC, put up a resilient performance to earn a valuable point after 90 minutes of action ended 0–0. With the result, the Maliya Boys have now extended their unbeaten run to four matches in the 2025/2026 NPFL second-round stanza. Barau FC had earlier recorded a victory against Niger Tornadoes earlier this month in the second round, before securing three consecutive draws against Enyimba in Aba, Bayelsa United in Kano, and Bendel Insurance in Benin. Speaking in a post-match interview, Barau FC head coach, Eugene Agagbe, commended his players for their discipline and determination. “Actually, I want to commend my players. It isn’t easy to pick up points away from home, but surely the players obeyed my tactics, and that’s why we got s...

Written by- Adewale Ajayi (OjaLion) I think it's high time the Nigeria Media applies caution with what we send out to the public. It is always very important that we dig deep, ask questions from all parties involved and try as much as possible not to always paint our dear country black before the international community.  I am a proud Canadian but the Nigerian blood still flows in me and because of that, I try as much as possible to seek first the truth and nothing but the truth on all matters relating to Nigeria football.   As much as anyone tries to paint this NFF and NSC black for content or for cheap popularity, it is always important as journalists, to always give these administrators the benefit of the doubt in such matters that could tarnish reputation and destroy integrity.  Just when we thought the players altercation in the aftermath of the match between Nigeria and Mozambique has been nipped in the bud and that sanity has returned to the Super ...

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has expressed deep sympathy to global boxing star Anthony Joshua and the families of victims involved in a fatal road accident that occurred on Monday, December 29, at the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. In a moment that transcended official statements and underscored the human side of leadership, Hon. Olopade swiftly paid a visit to former world heavyweight boxing champion, on the behalf of the chairman of the Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko and the entire staff of the Commission. Hon. Olopade described the accident as tragic and deeply saddening, while thanking God for the survival of the boxing icon. Unfortunately, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami and personal trainer, Kevin Latif Ayodele lost their lives in the crash. “On behalf of the National Sports Commission and the entire Nigerian sports family, I express my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones ...

Nigerian football is on the cusp of a major transformation, thanks to a groundbreaking ₦40 billion investment from Toptier Sports Management.  The 10-year strategic investment is set to supercharge the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) and the Nigeria National League (NNL), marking a seismic shift in the country’s domestic football landscape. "This is a long-term investment in structure, people, and possibilities," said Chichi Nwoko, Founder of Toptier Sports Management. "If Nigerian football is going to truly compete, it must be built deliberately, funded properly, and managed professionally. That is what this ₦40 billion commitment represents." Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC) said “this ₦40 billion commitment is a clear vote of confidence in the reforms taking place across Nigerian sports. At the Commission, we are intentional about creating an environment where credible private investors can partner with go...

  _Organisers announce juicy prize money for winners_  The Premium Trust bank Abuja city international half marathon has been awarded a bronze labelled status by World Athletics . This feat is a fulfilment to the rapid growing stature of the race which is just in its second edition after a highly successful first edition in 2024. MD/CEO, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade said this is a reaffirmation of the company's commitment to excellence and global standard.  She maintained that the company will continue to elevate it's organisational structure to meet world class standards at all times. " We will continue to deliver World class sports events and Saturday's race will be another testament to that commitment". The MD also expressed gratitude to Premium Trust Bank for the role it played in making the Abuja city half marathon a truly global road race. " To our sole sponsors and partner , Premium trust bank, this marathon stands toda...

As the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon draws near, organisers are expecting a strong contingent of elite long-distance athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and other nations to arrive in Nigeria ahead of the race. With the race scheduled for December 6, 2025, the build-up is already generating huge excitement. The organisers, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), along with title sponsor PremiumTrust Bank, say that city infrastructure, race routes and volunteer logistics are being finalised to deliver a “world-class” experience for both elite and community runners.  New National Star This year’s marathon enjoys the endorsement of World Athletics, earning its official label for the second edition, underlining the organisers’ ambition to position Abuja as a major hub on Africa’s long-distance running map.  Officials emphasize that the participation of elite long-race runners will intensify competition and elevate the...

Nigeria's foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025. With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event. In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-gr...

The National Sports Commission, NSC, has announced Lagos State as the Host for the first edition of the National Intermediate Games in 2026. The concept of the intermediary games is one of the RHINSE initiatives of the National Sports Commission to structurally earnest, monitor and develop the country's Sporting talents within the ages of 16-19. Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said as a country, Nigeria must have a proper grassroots model for the discovery of budding talents which will show an organic pathway system to the Elite cadre. " We are determined to have a sustainable podium success at International competitions but it will only come with having the right structure that can aide elite success and the intermediary games will strengthen our goals". " The bedrock of every sustained Sports development is an effective grassroots system and this is what we are aggressively pursuing with the mandate given to us by Mr...

Mr. Jens Ole Bach Hansen, the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, made a significant impact on Monday by expressing his enthusiasm for the remarkable facilities at FC Ebedei Stadium and Ebedei Sports College in Apele-Sagamu.  This visit marks a groundbreaking moment in Nigerian football history, highlighting the transformative strides being made in the football infrastructure at Ebedei Sports College. Upon his arrival, Hansen was warmly received by FC Ebedei President Barrister Churchill Oliseh, General Manager, Fredrick Oliseh, and FC Midtjylland's UEFA Pro License coach, Jonas Dal Andersen.  He embarked on a thorough tour of the multi-million-naira Ebedei Sports College and the FC Ebedei stadium. Hansen's admiration for the cutting-edge FC Ebedei facility was evident as he commended the Nationwide League One team for their exceptional achievements in upgrading their football infrastructure and talent development .  He emphasized that: "This world-class...

The 13th edition of the Gold Cup Preseason Tournament is set to kick off from October 16th to 25th, 2025, at the state-of-the-art FC Ebedei Stadium in Apele-Sagamu, promising an exciting event for football fans. This season is particularly noteworthy as it marks a transition for the tournament, with the absence of some familiar club powerhouses, including the defending champions, Shooting Stars of Ibadan, due to the earlier start of the Nigeria Professional Football League calendar. In a bid to enhance participation and increase the competitiveness of the tournament, top-class teams from the Nigeria National League (NNL) and the same in the Nationwide League One (NLO) will be making their appearances this year.  This decision reflects the organisers’ commitment to broadening the scope of players and clubs involved in the competition. Gold Cup General Coordinator, Tunde Shamsudeen, shared important updates on this year's tournament while conversing with the Gold Cup Medi...

​Ahmad Ghali has completed a permanent move to SK Sigma Olomouc from Slovan Liberec in the Czech Republic top league. The ex-player of Abuja-based Mahanaim FC sealed a three-year permanent deal with a subsequent one-year option, following a successful medical. Expressing his excitement about the latest transfer, the former Nigeria U20 and MFM FC player said "I'm happy to be here, I'm excited to go to such a great club with great ambitions. I believe I will help the team". He continued "It was a bit surprising for me. Everything was agreed within one week. I had to make a decision quickly, it wasn't exactly easy, but on the other hand I didn't have to think too long.  "Sigma is a club that will play in Europe. I see it as a step forward in my career," said the 25-year-old Nigerian midfielder, who can play on both sides of the pitch.

Ikorodu City FC forward, Salami Farouk has sealed a permanent deal to Czech Republic side FC Sellier & Bellot Vlašim. The forward completed his first international deal to the Czech Republic team after an impressive preseason outing with the club. Farouk is a prolific striker, creative, young and very energetic. A double-digit striker bar injuries. At Ikorodu City, before travelling abroad, Farouk scored breathtaking goals for the Oga Boys and various awards as well.

The National Sports Commission, NSC, has described as monumental the performance of the Nigeria Women Basketball team, the D"Tigress, for winning the Afrobasket for the fifth time in a row to set a new record that might not be broken for a very long time. The Nigerian girls showed passion, grit, confidence, composure and the calmness of true champion as they overpowered the rest of the continent for the umpteen time at the Palais de Sports de Treichville in Abidjan , Cote d'Ivoire. The Rene Wakama's girls defeated Mali 78 -64 points in Sunday's final to win Nigeria's 7th Women Afrobasket title and further stretched the team's unbeaten run in the competition to 29 since 2015. The Leadership of the NSC led by the chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade who tenure have continued to reshape and refocus the winning formular of Nigerian sports, commend the girls for the consistent heart of the country. The NSC Chairman who w...

Issa Saheed Aduragbemi put up a commanding display in the Nigeria National League (NNL) as Ikorodu City defeated Osun United 2-0 in Lagos. Tosin Oyedokun Ikorodu City gave the Oga Boys the lead few minutes into match. Taheer Abubakar put the icing on the cake with the second goal. The promising winger, Issa, gave a good account of himself against the visitors with his runs and dribbling skills.

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has commenced its "Catch-Them-Young" multi-sports trials, marking a significant milestone in the preparation for the 2025 National Youth Games. The talent identification programme aims to discover, nurture, and develop talents who will represent Lagos State not only at the 2025 National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, but also a pipeline of champions who will represent Lagos State on the national and international stage. The trials, which commenced a few weeks ago at various sporting facilities across the state, will span multiple athletic disciplines, including track and field events, swimming, gymnastics, dead sports, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, basketball, football, chess, ayo and other sports. Young athletes aged 9-14 years from various parts of the state are participating in the programme. Speaking at the venue of the trials for track and field events held today, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, Director ...

By Akeem Busari  Another product from the famous 36 Lion FC football factory, is presently turning heads and making football agents and aficionados wax lyrical about his innate football skills and huge potentials to dominate world football.  The prodigiously talented Quadri Liameed contributions in the midfield have been both consistent and invaluable in Spain, which has now earned him a position with CE Sabadell FC. His development has continued to astound football experts who have been equally quick to point to his ratings as one of the best midfielders in Segunda and with his skills set, technical ability to dominate play and dictate fortunes of every game, the football world is on the alert about this emerging midfield dynamo. According to Quadri’s agent, Cem Saga,  it is only a matter of time before he ranks among the top 5 midfielders in Spain, as he is confident in Quadri’s skills, intelligence, and ability to penetrate defenses. Quadri has also attract...