Olopade: Lagos yet to be awarded Hosting Rights for 2026 National Youth Games
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has dismissed reports suggesting that Lagos State has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 National Youth Games, insisting that no decision has been made and due process will determine the next venue.
Speaking during the ongoing 9th edition of the Games at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium in Asaba, Olopade clarified that the official handover of the championship flag to the next host state will take place at the closing ceremony.
‘Lagos has not been awarded the hosting rights. The process is still ongoing, and the decision will be made transparently. The handover will be done here in Asaba, not before,’ Olopade stated.
NSC officials have recently visited Lagos to inspect sporting facilities and assess the state’s readiness to host the Games, which are widely regarded as a key platform for talent discovery and grassroots development in Nigerian sports.
Over the years, the National Youth Games have produced a number of elite athletes who went on to represent Nigeria on the global stage.
Icons like Falilat Ogunkoya and Mary Onyali began their journeys as school sports champions before rising to international prominence.
Delta State is currently hosting the Games for the third consecutive time, having taken over from Kwara State, which hosted the first five editions. The inaugural event was held in Abuja (FCT) in 2013.
Lagos, despite its rich sporting history and infrastructure, has never hosted the National Youth Games and is keen to do so for the first time — but the final decision remains pending.
