The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has reaffirmed the Niger Delta’s historic and strategic importance to Nigeria’s sporting dominance, describing the region as “the bedrock of Nigeria’s sport.”
Hon. Olopade made this declaration while delivering a keynote address at the Niger Delta Cultural Expo, held as part of the ongoing Niger Delta Games at Cathelea Suites & Convention, 2 Aiyanyor Omoigui Way, Off 2nd Ugbor Road, GRA, Benin, Edo State. The Games will culminate later today, 26 February 2026, with a grand closing ceremony.
The event attracted an array of distinguished personalities from across Nigeria’s sporting and corporate landscape, including Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Dr. Tandoh Kweku, Nigerian athletics icon Mary Onyali, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Chief Tony Okowa, respected sports administrator Solomon Ogba, veteran sports journalist Mitchell Obi, and football administrator Davidson Owumi, among others.
Speaking with conviction, the NSC Director General underscored the region’s long-standing contribution to elite sport:
“The event of recent days goes to show the huge history of sport that is embedded in the Niger Delta. Without a doubt, this is the bedrock of Nigeria’s sport.”
Reflecting on his experience marketing the National Sports Festival years prior, Olopade revealed that a significant percentage of Team Nigeria athletes at the time emerged from the Niger Delta, with Delta State contributing a remarkable share.
“Today I’m the custodian of that record. I make bold to say that what Dunamis Icon Limited and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are doing is not just to confirm what I knew as a private person but to cement the fact that without the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s sporting pool would be bereft of talent.”
Hon. Olopade paid glowing tribute to Dunamis-Icon Limited, organisers of the Games, and its Managing Consultant, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo KSM, fondly referred to as “Malik,” for delivering what he described as a world-class sporting and cultural spectacle.
He applauded the organisation’s integration of sports tourism, youth empowerment, cultural heritage promotion, grassroots talent identification, and sports entrepreneurship, noting that the initiative exemplifies the evolving sports industry model driven by strategic public-private partnerships (PPP).
“To come here tonight and see what Dunamis Icon Limited has added to sporting exhibition, culture, music, goes to show that Malik without a doubt is the number one sport entrepreneur today in Nigeria.”
The NSC Director General emphasized that the current transformation in Nigerian sport aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who has prioritized sport as a vehicle for youth empowerment, economic diversification, and national unity.
He noted that the President’s policy direction has created an enabling environment for technocrats such as the Chairman of the NSC, Malam Shehu Dikko, and the Commission’s leadership to reposition Nigerian sport in line with global best practices and sustainable sports financing models.
In a major highlight of his address, Hon. Olopade commended the Games’ Organising Committee for upholding strict compliance measures, including the disqualification of medalists found guilty of age falsification.
He reiterated the NSC’s commitment to establishing an Integrity Unit and enforcing zero tolerance for age cheating, doping violations, and unethical practices, aligning Nigeria with global anti-doping standards under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) framework.
“For me to read that even those who won medals were stripped after age discrepancies were discovered speaks volumes to the credibility and integrity of these Games.”
He further celebrated Nigeria’s improved standing in global anti-doping compliance, describing it as a collective victory for clean athletes nationwide.
Olopade urged other regional development commissions across Nigeria to emulate the Niger Delta model, particularly in underserved zones with untapped talent potential.
“We need to use this example to drive sport across the country because what you are doing in the Niger Delta is amazing.”
He assured athletes, sponsors, and stakeholders that the NSC would continue to provide institutional backing and strategic support to scale the Games beyond expectations.
In an emotional closing remark, the DG praised the participating athletes:
“For the young athletes from the Niger Delta, I am extremely proud of you all. For everyone who attended this event, you are winners,” he concluded.
