President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday officially flagged off the Torch of Unity movement for the 22nd National Sports Festival, set to take place in Ogun State from May 16 to May 30, 2025. At a ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President described sports as a unifying force and a key driver of youth engagement, national cohesion, and economic growth.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Torch of Unity, a symbolic tradition of the festival, will travel across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, signifying peace, solidarity, and sportsmanship. Tinubu stressed his administration’s commitment to fostering sports development through infrastructure expansion, talent identification, and sponsorship. He urged both public and private sectors to actively support these efforts.
He said: “Since the inception of the National Sports Festival in 1973, the games have been a veritable vehicle for the interaction and integration of our young sportsmen and women. This festival provides a platform for all states and the FCT to showcase their sporting prowess under healthy competition, sportsmanship and friendly interaction to enhance and strengthen national unity”.
“The games represent much more than just a competition of athletic skill; they embody the unity, strength, and resilience that define us as a nation. Every step we take together towards the festival is not merely an act of preparation for a sporting event, but a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to nation building through sports.”
He also honoured Olympic medallist Falilat Ogunkoya as the National Torch Bearer and extended his best wishes to the Super Eagles in their World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State assured that preparations are in top gear to host over 10,000 athletes in a world-class event. He noted that elite athletes like Anthony Joshua and Tobi Amusan would attend, showcasing Nigeria’s sporting excellence. For the first time in the festival’s history, all athletes will be housed in a single purpose-built facility.
