The Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, has reaffirmed the state’s preparedness to host the 10th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Year 2026.
Speaking during a facility inspection tour conducted by a delegation from the National Sports Commission (NSC), Fatodu emphasized Lagos State’s experience in hosting major tournaments and expressed confidence in delivering a landmark event.
“As an experienced host, Lagos is poised to stage a history-making edition of the Youth Games in 2026,” he said.
Fatodu highlighted the importance of the NYG, which targets athletes under the age of 15, and assured that Lagos is determined to deliver one of the most memorable editions in the history of the competition. “Sports have evolved beyond traditional engagement—they now represent a lifelong pursuit of purpose. That’s the vision Lagos State is committed to,” he added.
He further stated, “We want our history to serve as a tool for national cohesion, unity, and youth empowerment. This message will be reflected in our agenda, our theme, and our actions as we prepare to host the Youth Games. We’ve reignited efforts to reconstruct, renovate, and reposition key facilities across the state.”
Fatodu also noted that Lagos’ bid to host the 10th edition coincides with the eve of a national election, presenting a unique opportunity to foster unity among Nigerians—one of the core objectives of the NYG since its inception in 2013.
As part of the bidding process, top management staff of the Lagos State Sports Commission, alongside NSC delegates, embarked on a two-day inspection tour of sports facilities across the state.
The tour began at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere and continued to the National Stadium. Other inspected venues included the newly refurbished Elegbata Sports Complex, the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, the Cricket Oval at Tafawa Balewa Square, Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre at Rowe Park in Yaba, the University of Lagos Sports Complex, CMS Grammar School in Bariga, and Agege Stadium.
Amaka Ashiofu, Director of Grassroots Sports Development and head of the NSC delegation, stated that one of the key objectives of awarding hosting rights is to stimulate the development of sports infrastructure.
She explained that the inspection aimed to identify areas for improvement, with the commission committed to working closely with the Lagos State Government to ensure a seamless process.
Beyond competition, the NYG serves as a platform for U-15 athletes to earn scholarships to tertiary institutions. It also offers an opportunity to showcase Lagos’ iconic sports facilities, rich cultural heritage, and its status as Nigeria’s commercial nerve center to the world.
