World News Update

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.  More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth. The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events. Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management,...

Kaduna-based NNL side, Ranchers Bees FC, is gearing up for a successful campaign in the upcoming Nigeria National League season. As part of their meticulous preparations, the team has scheduled two high-profile pre-season friendly matches in Abuja. On October 4th and 5th, Ranchers Bees will face EFCC FC and City FC Abuja, respectively, in a bid to fine-tune their skills and build team cohesion ahead of their NNL opener against Gombe United in November.  The team's hierarchy, backed by Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar and Lawmaker Bello El-Rufai, has spared no effort in providing the necessary resources to ensure a smooth transition into the new season. With Sadiq Umar's decade-long experience playing professional football in top European leagues, including Croatia, Italy, Holland, Serbia, and Spain, the team is poised to showcase a high level of professionalism.  Football enthusiasts in Kaduna State and beyond can expect an exciting season from Ranchers Bees FC, as they aim to ...

By Sunday Dare On Friday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu turned his gaze south-westward to the sprawling city of Ibadan. Over two years since his assumption of office, this is the President’s first berth in Ibadan, the political and spiritual capital of the Yoruba nation. Just as Kaduna spoke to his national reach barely a week ago, Ibadan speaks to his South West base. It is a return not merely to a city, but to a crucible of Yoruba identity, politics, and destiny. Ibadan is no ordinary city. It is the heartbeat of Yoruba politics and identity, a vast urban sprawl steeped in tradition, intellect, and culture. Here, history drips from every corner — from Mapo Hall, where nationalist firebrands once roused the masses, to Cocoa House, the towering emblem of the Western Region’s prosperity and vision. Ibadan was the capital of the old Western Region, the epicentre of progressive leadership from where Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his contemporaries presided over the affairs of the region with re...

Ex Super Eagles Captain, Jay-Jay Okocha, two-time African footballer of the year, Nwankwo Kanu, 2008 African player of the year, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Arsenal legend, Alex Song, are set to lead African Legends in a mouthwatering clash against Barca Legends on October 25, in Abuja. The game will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, at 3 pm, as Africa’s greatest ever players go toe-to-toe against the legendary stars of FC Barcelona in the Champions Cup organized by Attom Foundation.  Widely regarded as one of the most skillful African players of all time, Jay-Jay Okocha enjoyed a stellar career in Germany, France, England, and Turkey, earning global acclaim for his dazzling dribbles and flair. Twice named BBC African Footballer of the Year (2003, 2004), Okocha remains a cult hero at clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers, and played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s triumph at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and the historic 1996 Olympic Gold Medal in Atla...

PRESS STATEMENT Nigeria has delivered an advanced presentation to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday, to propel the nation’s bid to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030. The Nigerian delegation, led by Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, emphasized that the bid is an opportunity to foster a shared legacy that epitomizes the Commonwealth spirit. Nigeria presented  an all-inclusive bid, with focus areas such as sports excellence, arts, international cultural exchange, tapping into a budding creative economy, building a new shared commonwealth legacy and shaping the future of the African youth. The bid reflects the core values of Commonwealth Sport: More in Common, Equality, Humanity, and Destiny. The Abuja 2030 Games are designed to bring people together through the power of sport, reaching across gender, disability, culture, ethnicity, age...

PRESS STATEMENT A high-powered Nigerian delegation has arrived in London, United Kingdom for the final phase of the country’s presentation to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030. The delegation is led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, as the team gets set to make a strong case for Nigeria’s historic bid, which would see the Games come to Africa for the first time. Mallam Shehu Dikko delivered Nigeria’s initial presentation last month, setting the stage for the decisive round of engagements scheduled for Wednesday.  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s full backing of the bid, pledging Nigeria’s readiness to deliver a world-class Games if awarded the hosting rights.  Last week, Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, was among senior government officials who welcomed the Commonwealth Games Bid Evaluation team during t...

When the story of sports development in Nigeria is told, the name Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi consistently makes the tale. Known for his passion, vision, and unmatched personal investment in sports, these strides have made him a pillar of support for Nigerian athletes, and today, those same qualities position him as the best man to lead the Canoeing Federation as its next president. For years, Dr. Ogunbiyi has gone beyond words to action, putting his resources and influence behind athletes and federations.  He personally sponsored Nigeria’s canoeing team to the World Championship in Canada, setting the tone for his unwavering commitment to the sport. In 2014, he facilitated Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc’s sponsorship of Team Nigeria at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, ensuring athletes had the backing they needed to shine on the global stage. His contributions to canoeing are both historic and transformational.  He purchased 20 canoe and kayak boats, paddles, and other vital equipment for...

In a significant boost to the team's infrastructure, Ranchers Bees Football Club has acquired a new bus ahead of the upcoming Nigeria National League (NNL) season. This development is a testament to the commitment of the club's leadership, spearheaded by its supremo, Honourable Bello El-Rufai, and Super Eagles striker Sodiq Umar, who have pooled their resources to revive the historic Kaduna-based team.  According to reports, the Lawmaker, Bello El-Rufai acquired the new bus for the team. Ranchers Bees, once a dominant force in Nigerian football during the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, had faced a decline due to financial challenges. However, under the stewardship of El-Rufai and Umar, the team is poised for a resurgence. The club boasts an impressive legacy, having nurtured notable football talents such as Daniel Amokachi, Ali Nayara, Salisu Yusuf, Dahiru Sadi, Ayo Ogunlana, and Ishaya Jatau. As Ranchers Bees prepares to kick off its campaign in the NNL, the team will face Gombe U...

With just 35 days to go, the build-up to the highly anticipated Champions Cup in Abuja has intensified as Gaucho Ronaldinho, and other  football’s greatest names have confirmed their participation in the blockbuster clash between Barça Legends and African Legends, on October 25.  Organized by the Attom Foundation in partnership with ZMB Homes and WGI, Barça Legends coach Albert Ferrer will be able to call on Brazilian icon Gaucho Ronaldinho, who has officially confirmed his place in the squad.  The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year will be joined by former teammates Ludovic Giuly, Javier Saviola, Jesús Angoy, Samuel Okunowo, Marc Valiente, Fernando Navarro and Roberto Trashorras, with even more star names set to be revealed in the coming days. The Champions Cup, billed as a historic encounter, will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on October 25, at 3pm Nigerian time.  Beyond football, the event carries a strong social message, as it is de...

Abuja is set to witness a historic football spectacle as the Attom Foundation, in partnership with ZMB Homes and WGI, brings together Barça Legends and the African Legends in a match dedicated to raising awareness for the empowerment of the girl child.  The highly anticipated Champions Cup game will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. (16:00 H CEST). The Barça Legends will parade global stars including Ronaldinho, Ludovic Giuly, Javier Saviola, Jesús Angoy, Samuel Okunowo, Marc Valiente, and Fernando Navarro.  On the opposing side, the African Legends will showcase the brilliance of some of the continent’s greatest football heroes, led by Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Alex Song, and Mark Fish, with more names expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks. The event promises to be more than just a football match. It will be a celebration of sport, unity, and purpose, with proceeds directed towards...

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE ‎Nigeria took a significant step towards hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, as it welcomed the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee to Abuja on Thursday.‎ President Bola Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, formally received the delegation at the Presidential Villa.‎ President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to hosting an inclusive, diverse, and world-class 2030 Commonwealth Games on African soil.‎ Gbajabiamila and a strong federal government team of Ministers and senior government officials held strategic talks with the delegation led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at Commonwealth Sport, and a member of the 2030 Evaluation Committee.   President Tinubu emphasised that the Commonwealth champions unity and diversity, and Africa deserves its moment after nearly a century.‎ ‎Africa has never hosted the Games since their inception in 1930. Nigeria made an unsuccessful bid to host the 2014 Games...

PRESS STATEMENT _President Tinubu reiterates commitment to host Africa’s first Commonwealth Games in 2030_ The leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to stage the first-ever Commonwealth Games to be hosted on African soil in 2030. NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade reassured Commonwealth nations of Nigeria’s readiness, as they welcomed members of the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee in Abuja, as part of Nigeria’s ongoing bid process. Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is committed to bringing the Games to Africa for the first time, describing the effort as “a major step toward inclusivity in the Commonwealth sporting community.” “We are very happy to welcome you here in Nigeria, stressing our seriousness to host the 2030 Games and show you around the beautiful city of Abuja and our facilities,” Dikko said. “One thing I want to assure you is t...

_“Those who assaulted our staff will be identified, and will face the full wrath of the law", says DG, Lagos State Sports Commission_ The Lagos State Sports Commission has reaffirmed its decision to dissolve Senior Team Lagos, a move aimed at injecting fresh energy, renewed discipline, and a stronger competitive spirit into the state’s sporting programs. Speaking on the development, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission expressed dismay over the recent actions of some purported members of the Senior Team Lagos, who staged a protest at Alausa Secretariat, demanding unmerited cash rewards of their subpar outing at the 2020 National Sports Festival and their uninspiring showing at the last National Sports Festival, Gateway 2024. “This decision was not taken lightly. It was informed by the underwhelming outcomes of Senior Team Lagos at the National Sports Festival and the need to reposition Lagos sports for excellence,” the Director General stated. “We are committ...

Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel etched his name into the history books on Wednesday at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, after storming into the men’s 400m hurdles final with a sensational performance in the semifinals on Wednesday afternoon. The Nigerian record holder and NCAA Champion seized control of the race early and never looked back, crossing the line in 47.47 seconds to win Semifinal 2. His time was the fastest across all semifinal races, underlining his status as a strong medal contender in Thursday’s final.  The historic run makes Nathaniel the first Nigerian man to reach the 400m hurdles final at the World Championships since Henry Amike achieved the feat in 1987, ending a 38-year wait. It was also a day to celebrate for Nigeria’s sprint sensation, Udodi Onwuzurike, who kicked off his campaign in the men’s 200m with a smooth run. The national champion clocked 20.27 seconds to finish second in his heat and secure automatic qualification for the semif...

PRESS STATEMENT The Main Organising Committee (MOC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Enugu 2026 Coal City Games held a strategic engagement meeting to advance preparations for the Games via Zoom on Monday, September 15, 2025. The meeting, chaired by the Chairmen of both the MOC, Hon. Bukola Olopade and LOC, Llyod Ekweremadu, with members of the Secretariat in attendance, focused on key deliberations regarding facilities for the Games. Members received updates on the ongoing works and noted steady progress across designated sites. As part of the resolutions, the Committees agreed on October 2025 for the next official visit to Enugu to further assess readiness and provide guidance as preparations advance. The MOC, and LOC collectively extended appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, for the proactive steps taken to ensure that contractors mobilized to the sites early. This commitment underscores the State’s determination to deliver world-class facilit...

The Commonwealth Games remains one of the most prestigious sporting fiesta in the World and unarguably ranks among the top three global sports competitions after the Olympics games and the FIFA senior World cup. And Nigeria's intention to stage this monumental Sports gathering speaks volumes of how much the current administration of President Bola Tinubu sees Sports in the overall success of the renewed hope agenda. Sports is one sector the current administration has continued to yield positive trajectory in terms of reforms and upscaling after the President took a bold step to scrap the bureaucratic Ministry of sports and replaced it with a more professional framework - the National Sports Commission, NSC, just a year ago. And the aftermath results of this decision has been very swift for even the blind to see, from the first day Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon Bukola Olopade were appointed to pilot the sector as Chairman and Director General respectively. And one of the core mandates ...

_Settles allowances and bonuses  for all athletes_ The National Sports Commission (NSC) has successfully intervened in the recent challenges in Team Nigeria’s camp at the ongoing 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. The leadership of the NSC, led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has ensured the swift payment of all athletes’ bonuses and allowances in Tokyo. Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade held a crucial meeting with the athletes and officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in Tokyo, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of the country’s athletes at all times. The meeting also provided the DG with the opportunity to resolve outstanding issues between the athletes and the AFN, fostering optimism for a stronger and more collaborative relationship going forward. “The mandate given to us by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is to prioritize the welfare of every Nig...

NATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION INTRODUCTION 1.0 The Election of members into the National Sports Federations (NSF) Boards is a critical process that impacts the governance, performance and development of sports within a nation. In Nigeria, the need for a robust, transparent, and credible election guidelines is vital to the growth and repositioning of the Sports Sector in line with international best practices.  1.1 These election guidelines outline comprehensive details for the conduct of elections into the respective NSFs Boards recognized by the National Sports Commission (NSC) ensuring that only qualified, credible and passionate individuals are elected to serve. 1.2 The guidelines spell out the composition of the respective NSF Boards, Eligibility of Membership, Election Regulations, Electoral Committees, Elections Petition Committee, Electoral Appeals Committee, Inauguration, etc.  1.3 The elections shall be conducted using these election guidelines, under the supervi...

PRESS STATEMENT Nigeria’s track queen, Tobi Amusan, has won silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, clocking a brilliant 12.29s in the final. Amusan powered through the high-pressure final at the National Stadium, finishing just behind Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, who struck gold in a new National Record of 12.24s.  The National Sports Commission (NSC) hailed Amusan’s remarkable achievement, noting that her consistency and fighting spirit continue to inspire millions. Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the NSC, stated that “Tobi Amusan has made Nigeria proud once again. Winning silver at the World Championships is no small feat, and doing so with such class shows her world-class ability and resilience.  “She remains a symbol of hope, determination, and excellence for our nation. The entire country stands tall in celebration of her achievement.” The USA’s Grace Stark took Bronze in 12.34s, while fellow American Masai R...