The 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) has been scheduled to kick off from May 16 to 30, 2025, following a decision reached during the first Joint Technical Meeting (JTM) held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The festival had earlier been postponed from its original date, November 2024, by the former Minister of Sports, John Enoch.

A communique, signed by Mr. Adebukola Olopade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), alongside Mr Wasiu Isiaka, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, stated that the shift will allow sufficient time to address observations made during the inspection of venues.

“In order to give some time to effect the observations and recommendations from the Joint Technical Meeting, the dates for the 22nd National Sports Festival should be adjusted to May 16-30, 2025,” the communique reads.

The NSF, dubbed Nigeria’s “mini-Olympics,” will also feature athletes discovered at the National Youth Games, who will be invited to participate as junior athletes in selected sports. This initiative aims to nurture young talents for long-term sporting development.

In addition, the communique announced that the zonal eliminations for team sports ahead of the festival will take place from February 23 to 28, 2025.

Stakeholders emphasised the need for synergy between the MOC Sub-committees and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to ensure a seamless event.

Ogun State, which won the bid to host the festival during the closing ceremony of the 21st NSF in Asaba on December 10, 2022, has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a successful tournament.

The JTM commended the state’s preparedness and hospitality, urging it to address the findings from the technical inspection.

The JTM also expressed appreciation to Chief Kunle Soname and the management of Babcock University for their support towards hosting the games.