Condolence Message:

Before delving into the heart of this reflection, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kano State, and most especially to the grieving families of the 22 athletes and officials who tragically lost their lives in a motor accident while returning from the Gateway 2024 Games. May their souls rest in perfect peace. Amen.

The National Sports Festival (NSF) — Nigeria’s “Mini-Olympics” — has come and gone once again, with the 22nd edition, dubbed Gateway 2024, held in 2025 and hosted by Ogun State. The event, brimming with talent, emotion, and fierce competition, is more than just a showcase of athletic excellence; it reflects Nigeria’s state of sports, unity, and youth engagement.

But as the dust settles in Abeokuta and the medals are counted, one question looms large: What next for the National Sports Festival?

Box 18 takes a deep dive into what lies ahead for the NSF, spotlighting the progress made, the gaps yet to be bridged, and the bold steps necessary to reposition the festival as a true engine for Nigeria’s sporting future.

Gateway 2024 marked a watershed moment. Ogun State, known for its solid infrastructure and sports culture, delivered impressively — from athlete welfare to digital innovation and media coverage. Talent identification improved with the integration of data analysis, while private sector partnerships helped elevate the event’s overall execution.

However, the true legacy of any sports festival lies not just in organization but in what happens next.

To chart a sustainable path forward, we must acknowledge recurring issues:

• Inconsistency: Political instability and funding issues often delay or derail the NSF, disrupting athlete preparation and public engagement.

• Talent Poaching: States frequently import athletes rather than develop homegrown talent — undermining the festival’s grassroots mandate.

• Weak Infrastructure: Many states lack the facilities to host or train, resulting in short-term fixes rather than long-term growth.

• Lack of Pathways: After the NSF, most athletes have no access to elite development systems or professional exposure, stalling their careers.

A biannual NSF must be legislated and enforced, shielding it from political or fiscal instability. This allows athletes and federations to train and plan effectively.

Top performers must graduate into structured national programs — scholarships, academies, or elite camps. The NSF should be the gateway to the Olympics, not a cul-de-sac.

A centralized digital database should track performance metrics, medical records, and career progress — helping coaches, scouts, and sponsors alike.

Incentivize corporate sponsorship with tax reliefs and marketing rights. A professional NSF board could manage partnerships transparently.

A zonal competition model would ease the burden on host states, create year-round excitement, and widen athlete exposure.

A permanent body under the National Sports Commission should document, evaluate, and coordinate the NSF — preserving institutional memory and best practices.

For the NSF to truly fuel national sports, it must be youth-first. Age categories should be enforced, school sports integrated, and elite athletes limited to exhibitions. States must stop chasing medals and start grooming future champions.

Just like the International Olympic Committee emphasizes legacy, Nigeria must demand that host states convert event facilities into community sports hubs. Educational seminars on doping, gender inclusion, and sports ethics should become part of the NSF calendar.

Broadcast rights should be commercialized and expanded. With proper planning, the NSF could generate year-round sports content via local TV and streaming platforms — keeping fans engaged and athletes in the spotlight.

Gateway 2024 is not the finish line; it is a starting block. Its true value lies in the transformative vision it inspires. The NSF must evolve from a biennial event into a core pillar of Nigeria’s sports development architecture.

This requires bold legislation, smart partnerships, and unwavering political will. If done right, we may one day look back at Gateway 2025 not only as Ogun State’s pride but as the spark that lit the torch of a new sporting era in Nigeria.

The race is not over — it has only just begun.