The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced Bayelsa and Kaduna states as hosts of the 2028 and 2030 editions of the National Sports Festival, a move the Commission says signals renewed momentum for sports development in Nigeria.
Bayelsa State will stage the 2028 festival—its first time hosting the country’s largest multi-sport event—while Kaduna State will host in 2030. The 2030 Games will mark Kaduna’s third hosting duty, having previously welcomed athletes nationwide in 1977 and 2009.
NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said both states demonstrated exceptional commitment and preparedness, noting that the selection process reflects a shift from previous years when host states were often uncertain until late in the planning cycle.
“We are glad that we have made the Sports Festival attractive again, where states are now showing serious interest to host,” Olopade said. “This is a result of how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has prioritised the sports sector under his administration.”
Olopade explained that the Commission’s RHINSE (Renewed Hope Initiative for the Nigerian Sports Economy) agenda aims to reposition and rebrand the festival to meet global standards comparable to the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
He highlighted the 2025 edition in Ogun State—widely described as the best-organised in the festival’s history—as a new model for future editions. He added that the 2026 Games in Enugu would further elevate organisational standards, forming a smooth pathway to the 2028 and 2030 editions.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the NSC Director of Press, Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi, FCAI, ANIPR, and released on November 28, 2025.
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