NSC DG Honors Young Nigerian Sporting Heroes in School Appreciation Tour

The director-general of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has launched an initiative to recognize and celebrate Nigeria’s brightest young athletes directly in their secondary schools.

The initiative, according to Kola Daniel, SA media office of the Director General, NSC, aims to foster early talent recognition, promote integrity in age-grade sports, and reshape the narrative surrounding youth development in the country.

The tour commenced with a visit to Grange School, Lagos, where outstanding swimmers Aidan Dumuije-Abili and Tofunmi Ibidapo were celebrated. This visit follows Team Nigeria’s dominant performance at the 2025 Africa Zone 2 Swimming Championship, where the nation set multiple continental records with its emerging generation of elite youth athletes.

Hon. Olopade emphasized that this initiative mirrors the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating, “We are only emulating the great leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has shown us many times that when you do well for this country, irrespective of your field, a grateful nation will always say thank you.”

Fourteen-year-old Aidan Dumuije-Abili was the championship’s star, breaking five Africa Zone 2 records and securing six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, earning him the title of Most Valuable Junior Athlete. Tofunmi Ibidapo also excelled, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals in individual and relay events.

In recognition of their exceptional achievements, the NSC DG presented Aidan with a ₦3 million cash award and Tofunmi with a ₦2 million cash award.

“It was high time we started saying thank you to our young budding talents. That encouragement will inspire millions of young Nigerians who are intentional about using sport as a tool for development,” Olopade added, underscoring the NSC’s commitment to grassroots development.

The DG’s tour is set to continue, with Abeokuta, Ogun State, as the next destination to honor more young talents.