By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

All is set for the 86th edition of the prestigious AIONIAN Festival of Sports and Academic Competitions, with 12 secondary schools gearing up for the highly anticipated event.

Tagged “ONDO 2025,” the Games will take place from February 27 to March 1, 2025, at Ondo Boys’ High School, Ondo.

Participating schools include Abeokuta Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ibadan Grammar School, Ondo Boys’ High School, Oduduwa College, Ilesa Grammar School, and Remo Secondary School. Others are Imade College, Victory College Ikare, Yewa Egbado College, Manuwa Memorial Grammar School, and Gbongan/Ode-Omu Anglican High School.

Speaking on the history of the competition, AIONIAN Festival Secretary, Akinkuolie Majeed, recalled that the event traces its roots to March 1930, when principals of four voluntary agency schools in Western Nigeria convened at St. Andrew’s College, Oyo.

The meeting, attended by leaders from Abeokuta Grammar School, Ibadan Grammar School, Ondo Boys’ High School, and Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, led to the formation of a brotherhood aimed at fostering academic and sporting excellence.

The name AIONIAN was coined from the initials of the founding schools Abeokuta (A), Ijebu-Ode (I), Ondo (ON), and Ibadan (I), with AN added for adjectival effect. Over time, more schools joined, expanding the membership to 12.

Majeed noted that the first AIONIAN Sports Festival was held in 1931, paving the way for major inter-school sporting events in Nigeria.

The festival also introduced academic competitions in 1991, including quiz and essay contests, with top-performing students in Science, Arts, Commerce, and Technical subjects receiving awards.

With its deep-rooted legacy, the AIONIAN Games continue to serve as a platform for nurturing young talents in both academics and sports.