World News Update

Abuja 2027: ANOCA Vice President Expresses Satisfaction With Nigeria’s Preparations for Africa School Games: _LOC presents hosting blueprint, ANOCA delegation inspects facilities, as Games gets tentative date_ Nigeria’s readiness to host the 2027 African School Games got another strong endorsement from the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) on Tuesday, after a strategic working session in Abuja. Nigeria’s 2027 African School Games hosting journey entered its next gear, after a collaborative meeting between the ANOCA African School Games Coordination Commission and the Local Organizing Committee for the Games, led by its chairman, Mr. Lekan Abari. The session, which took place at the ANOCA Secretariat in Abuja, marked the first major technical review since Nigeria was awarded the hosting rights in 2025. Abari delivered a detailed 46-slide hosting overview that covered governance, venues, logistics, and legacy plans. He outlined the structure of the LOC and its ...

 PRESS STATEMENT Abuja 2027: National Sports Commission Hosts ANOCA Delegation Ahead of the 2nd African School Games: The National Sports Commission (NSC) is set for the visit of a delegation from the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) as part of preparations for the successful hosting of the 2nd African School Games, Abuja 2027. The high-level visit, scheduled for 9th and 10th June 2026, is aimed at assessing the readiness of facilities and reviewing organizational plans for the continental event, which Nigeria is preparing to host in Abuja. The Director General of the Commission, Hon. Bukola  Olopade said that "Nigeria is committed to delivering an exceptional African School Games that will showcase the talent, unity, and aspirations of young athletes across Africa.” “The ANOCA inspection visit provides an important opportunity to demonstrate the significant progress made in our preparations and to strengthen our partnership towards hosting a memora...

BREAKING: NATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION APPOINTS HON. LEKAN FATODU AS PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA AQUATICS FEDERATION: Nigeria’s drive to strengthen governance and accelerate development across its sporting ecosystem received a monumental boost on Friday as the National Sports Commission (NSC) announced the appointment of Hon. Lekan Fatodu as President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation. The announcement was made by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, who described the appointment as part of ongoing efforts to reposition sports federations through capable leadership, institutional reforms, and a renewed focus on athlete development. Fatodu, who currently serves as Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), assumes the leadership of the federation at a period when stakeholders are increasingly demanding stronger structures, improved athlete pathways, enhanced technical development, and greater international competitiveness for aquatic sp...

 PRESS STATEMENT Team Nigeria Eyes Podium Surge as NSC DG Olopade Charges Federations Ahead of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: _Athletes to camp in Aberdeen as Local camping starts June 9_ The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has charged Nigeria’s sports federations to elevate their standards as Team Nigeria enters the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. At a strategic engagement with federation executives and technical officials in Abuja, Olopade emphasized that athlete welfare, discipline, and performance must drive every decision leading to the Games. The meeting served as a rallying point to align all federations with the Commission’s performance-driven roadmap. In a major update, the DG confirmed that Team Nigeria will hold its overseas training camp in *Aberdeen, Scotland* - a location chosen for its world-class facilities, climate similarity to Glasgow, and minimal travel time to the Games...

 PRESS STATEMENT Lagos Ready for Historic National Intermediate Games as MOC Concludes Inspection Tour: _Lagos will host Intemediate Games with excellence, Gov. Sanwo-Olu says_ The Main Organizing Committe for the National Intermediate Games has expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness by Lagos State to host the maiden edition of the Games following a comprehensive three-day inspection of competition venues, athlete accommodation facilities and support infrastructure across the state. The high-powered delegation led by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, the MOC concluded the inspection exercise with a courtesy visit to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who reaffirmed the State's commitment to delivering a world-class event. The inspection tour covered key facilities earmarked for the Games, including the Teslim Balogun Stadium, National Stadium Complex Surulere, National Institute for Sports (NIS), Rowe Park ...

 PRESS STATEMENT Nigeria Makes Mark at Prestigious Elite Scrabble Championship in Bangkok, Records Multiple Podium Finishes: Nigeria’s Scrabble team recorded another outstanding international outing following a series of impressive performances at the prestigious Causeway Scrabble Challenge held in Bangkok, Thailand, held from May 29 to June 1, 2026. Competing against some of the world's finest scrabble players in what is widely regarded as the biggest and most competitive scrabble tournament globally, Team Nigeria once again demonstrated why the country remains the leading force in the sport. Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, commended the athletes for their fighting spirit and professionalism. "This performance once again confirms Nigeria's status as the world's leading scrabble nation. Our players have shown tremendous character, resilience, and excellence in one of the toughest scrabble competitions anywhere in the world. We a...