Tinubu, Fashola, Governors Headline National Grassroots Sports Summit

President Bola Tinubu, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Governors and key figures in sports administration, government and international development are expected to headline the opening day of the National Grassroots Sports Development Summit 2026 in Abuja.

The two-day summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall, State House, Presidential Villa, is being organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Anthony Adeboye.

With the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development”, the summit aims to develop practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges in talent discovery, sports infrastructure, funding, coaching and athlete development.

Tinubu is listed as the Special Guest of Honour for the opening ceremony, while Fashola is expected to deliver the keynote address on Wednesday, November 18.

Also scheduled to participate is Dr Tayo Aduloju, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), which has been engaged as the summit’s technical partner to help translate deliberations into a workable roadmap for grassroots sports development.

Other prominent figures expected at the event include the Chairman and Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, respectively; the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum; the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); and the Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Nigeria.

The opening-day programme also features African Table Tennis Federation President Enitan Oshodi, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Dr Musa Nakorji of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Research Department.

Their participation is expected to strengthen discussions on integrating sports development with economic planning, education, grassroots governance, international cooperation and private-sector investment.

Adeboye said the summit would provide an opportunity to move Nigerian sports beyond isolated successes towards a coordinated system capable of identifying and nurturing talent across the country.

“The real question is not whether Nigeria has sporting talent. We know we have talent in abundance. The question is how we build a system that discovers, nurtures and supports that talent consistently, from our communities and schools to the international stage,” he said.

He emphasised that the involvement of state governments, local councils, development institutions and sports administrators would be crucial to achieving sustainable results.

The summit will continue on Thursday, November 19, with further stakeholder engagements expected to produce actionable recommendations for strengthening grassroots sports development nationwide.

Organisers said the initiative was designed to lay a stronger foundation for Nigerian sports by expanding opportunities for young people, improving talent identification and establishing a sustainable pathway from grassroots participation to elite competition.