NSC Honours Young Athletes In Abuja

In a significant move to embed a culture of reward in Nigeria’s youth sports development, the National Sports Commission (NSC) extended its national talent-hunt tour to the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges in Abuja, where six outstanding student-athletes were celebrated for bringing laurels to the nation in 2025.

Leading the delegation were NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade. The visit was part of a broader strategy, championed by President Bola Tinubu, to ensure that young Nigerians excelling in sports are identified, encouraged, and supported at the grassroots level.

Also present at the event was Sunday Dare, former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, who now serves as Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication.

The highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of sprint sensation Miracle Ezechukwu, whose 2025 campaign included multiple gold medals at the African Youth Games in Angola and the African School Games in Algeria. Her impressive run extended to silver medals at both the Islamic Solidarity Games and the CAA Region III Championships. For her exploits, Ezechukwu received a cash reward of N3 million.

Fellow track star Rosemary Chigozie matched that feat, also pocketing N3 million for her golden performances at the same African Youth and School Games, alongside a silver at the CAA Region III Championships.

The taekwondo division was equally celebrated. Yemi Andrew, a silver medallist at the African Junior & Cadet Championship and a quarter-finalist at the African Youth Games, was awarded N2 million. Crown Umeh, who secured a bronze at the same Cadet event, went home with N1 million. In a family affair, Unique Umeh added another N1 million to the haul for her bronze medal at the African School Games in Algeria.

Completing the list of awardees was long jump specialist Adeeze Precious, who was rewarded with N1 million for her outstanding leap of 6.05 metres at the MTN CHAMPS in Benin.

The NSC emphasized that these presentations are part of a deliberate strategy to overhaul the country’s sports development model. “By catching them young and rewarding excellence, we are solidifying the foundation for future Nigerian champions on the continental and global stage,” a statement from the commission noted.

This initiative is not confined to Abuja. According to the NSC, deserving athletes in schools across Uyo (Akwa Ibom State) and Asaba (Delta State) have also been honoured in recent days. The tour commenced last Wednesday in Lagos, where DG Olopade visited Grange School to celebrate swimmers Aidan Dumuije-Abili and Tofunmi Ibidapo for their exploits at the 2025 Africa Zone Two Swimming Championship. The Lagos tour also included a stop at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena to honour Hafsoh Majekodunmi, a student of Abeokuta Grammar School, for her athletic prowess.