Lagos Sets New Standard as Eko 2026 Deploys Digital Age Verification
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Main Organising Committee (MOC) for the maiden National Intermediate Games, Eko 2026, have announced plans to deploy the National Identity Management System (NIMS) to tackle age cheating and ensure that only eligible athletes compete at the Games.
The competition, scheduled to hold in Lagos from October 1 to 15, will feature thousands of athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 competing across several sports, with organisers determined to protect the integrity of the event through the use of technology.
LOC Co-chair Lekan Fatodu said the introduction of the NIMS verification system would help set a new standard in addressing the long-standing problem of age falsification in youth sports.
‘As we are aware, the Games are meant to bridge the gap between the Youth Games and the National Sports Festival. Hosting this tournament gives us the opportunity to set a new standard in checking age-cheating,’ Fatodu said.
‘We want to ensure that only athletes within the right age bracket compete. In the past, over-aged athletes have competed against under-aged athletes, denying genuine talents the chance to shine. This time around, we want to set the standard with the use of NIMS.’
Under the arrangement, athletes’ biodata will be cross-checked against national identity records to verify their eligibility and prevent the falsification of ages.
The LOC said the initiative reflects Lagos’ commitment to transparency and credibility in sports administration, with Eko 2026 aiming to combine sports development with digital governance while providing genuine young talents a fair opportunity to compete.
Organisers believe the use of the national identity infrastructure will make the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games a benchmark for future youth competitions in Nigeria, both in athletic excellence and integrity.
