NASENI Games 2025: Promoting Innovation, Unity Through Sports

Sports the world over is a universal phenomenon that is employed to promote internal cohesion and vibrancy for both institutions and individuals and to reinforce dreams to achieve greater objectives in varying degrees.

It was therefore appropriate that the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) recently demonstrated that sports is a strong unifying factor among Nigerians as well as a veritable tool for innovation and national development. It hosted the 2025 NASENI Games in Abuja, the nation’s capital, which was the second edition.

The 2025 NASENI Games that were held between 20th-23rd October 2025, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, came with strong messages in support of unity, hard work, and sportsmanship, which echoed all through the events.

Declaring the event open, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Agency, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, emphasized that the Games symbolized more than just competition, stressing that they embodied the NASENI spirit of excellence, innovation, and family.

“This gathering is not only about sports but about pushing harder, faster, and working together as one NASENI family,” Mr. Halilu stated. “We are all members of one movement, building a stronger and more innovative NASENI.”

He urged all participating teams to compete with passion and integrity, highlighting that the true value of the Games lies in discipline, focus, and unity rather than just winning medals. “Sporting progress only happens when we give our best. “The Games remind us that success at NASENI is driven by the same values that make great athletes, teamwork, discipline, and unity,” he added.

Mr. Halilu also encouraged all NASENI centres and institutes to enjoy the event, support one another, and make the competition a memorable one. “To every participant, give your all; to the supporters, make some noise. Let’s show that NASENI knows how to play hard and work hard.”

In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the NASENI Sports Committee, Engr. Bernard Ozigi, expressed gratitude to the EVC for his continuous support and commitment to staff welfare, health, and well-being.

He noted that the second edition of NASENI Games provided not just a platform for competition, but an opportunity to foster love and camaraderie among staff.

Engr. Ozigi reminded participants that the essence of the Games goes beyond trophies. “These Games promote discipline, fair play, and mutual respect and values that extend beyond the field, court, or track.

“Through this event, we showcase the NASENI spirit of excellence, teamwork, and innovation,” he said.
The opening day featured several exciting football matches across the male and female categories including match passes by various institutes. In the male football matches, NASENI HQ vs PEDI Ilesa ended in a goalless draw after 60 minutes of fierce play. The match between EMDI Akure and AMTDI Jalingo ended 3-0 in favour of EMDI Akure. In another feature, SEDI Minna thrashed NEEDI Nnewi by 3-0, while SOMMEDI demolished NSEL with a 4–0 win.

In the female football match, NEDDI Nnewi also known as The Tigress defeated NASENI headquarters Angels by 2–0 with both goals scored by Linda Ezekiel in a thrilling encounter that elicited laud applause and cheers. Altogether, the four-day event featured eight registered indoors and outdoor games.
Participants included teams from NASENI Headquarters and 12 centres and institutes across Nigeria. The games included Male and Female Football, Volleyball, Badminton, Chess, Scrabble, Table Tennis, Lawn Tennis. The NASENI Games 2025 was a celebration of athletics, innovation, and unity, reinforcing NASENI’s commitment to fostering excellence both in the workplace and beyond.

The Games officially ended on Thursday, October 23, 2025, with the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI), Minna clinching victory in the male football championship, while Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI), Enugu emerged victorious in the female football category.

In the male football final, the thrilling 70-minute match between SEDI Minna and NASENI Headquarters initially ended in a 1-1 draw, leading to a penalty shootout and SEDI Minna triumphed with a decisive 3–0 victory to claim victory over NASENI Headquarters.

Meanwhile, in the female football final, SEDI Enugu secured a 1–0 win over Electronics Development Institute (ELDI), Awka after an intense contest. ELDI Awka finished as the runner-up. Notably, NASENI Angels, who had earlier qualified for the female finals were disqualified for breaching one of the tournament’s established rules, paving way for ELDI Awka to advance to the final round.

This year’s event featured 12 indoor and outdoor sporting activities, with various NASENI centers and institutes across the country competing and excelling in their respective categories with SEDI Minna, which produced the highest goal scored for male and NEEDI Nnewi scored highest in the female category.

At the opening ceremony, the NASENI Games was made worthwhile with the presence of the Good Vibes Team who monitored and ensured emergence of the following winners and the presentation of trophies to them: Best Coordinating Subcommittee Member- Mr. Adebayo John (EMDI Akure); Best Kitted Team- EMDI Awka; Best Behaved Team- EMDI Akure; and Best Match Pass Team – won by NASENI Headquarters team.

In addition to the matches, several special awards were presented: SEDI Minna again took the medal for Best Goalkeeper for male, and the Best Goalkeeper for Female went to ELDI Awka.

The 1st edition of NASENI Games took place in 2024 in Kano. The competition will hold every year with all the institutes and headquarters sending sporting teams to compete for various medals and trophies sponsored by the Management of the Agency.

The thrills and frills of the 2025 NASENI Games linger for a long while as participants relish its excitement in various dimensions and look forward to more elaborate games in 2026.