What is known today as the National Youth Games started in 2013 at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, when the maiden edition of the event was declared opened by the then Vice President Namadi Sambo who was represented by Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the then Chairman of the National Sports Commission.

The maiden event had in attendance over 4000 athletes drawn from the different states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. The aim of the festival is to harness talents amongst the youths in Nigeria and also ensuring unity and togetherness among different states.

The maiden event was hosted in Abuja from December 5–15, 2013. Cross River State emerged as overall winners. They were followed by Akwa Ibom State as first runner up and Delta State as second runner up.

In 2016, the second edition event was hosted by University of Ilorin from 21st - 30th, September 2016.

University of Ilorin also hosted the event in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 respectively. This was largely due to the success recorded during the 2016 event which was hosted at the  University. 

Also it was reported that the University of Ilorin and the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development had signed a memorandum of agreement to host the games in the University of Illorin for five years.

Team Delta was known for winning the competition back to back after its maiden edition till 2021 since its inception in 2013.

In 2017, the third edition of the event Delta state also emerged as champions 

In 2021, the sixth edition of the event, also Delta State emerged overall winners.

They were  followed by Team Lagos in second position while Team Edo finished third after the event.

Team Delta had 60 gold, 27 silver and 29 bronze medals. Team Lagos had 19 gold, 26 silver and 28 bronze medlas while Team Edo had 18 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze medals.

In 2023,  was originally scheduled to be hosted  from February 8–18, 2023 at the Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State. But, the event was postponded  due to the general elections in Nigeria that was scheduled to hold on February 25, 2023.

However, the event took place from 21-30 September in Asaba Delta state. 

It was the first time that the games with be hosted in another state other than the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and Kwara state (University of Illorin). 

Among the 36 states including FCT, Only Zamfara state failed to participate in this edition of the games. 

Reports had it that a total of 647 medals were won by the participating Athletes in 34 events. The female athletes won 99 gold medals while their male counterparts won 98 gold medals. The females also clinched a total of 97 silver medals while the males amassed 100 silver medals.

In the bronze medal category, the girls won 123 bronze medals while the boys got themselves 130 bronze medals in the eight-day event.

The games no doubt had a lot of positives, like producing very young stars like youngest overall, Nahome Ehi Onoja, a 5-year-old chess player from Benue and 7-year-old gymnast, Ngowari Jewel Onengiye, the youngest Rivers Athlete. It is hoped with proper grooming and mentoring,  they can become Super athletes in the nearest future. It also confirmed the female dominance of the males in athletic events in the country. 

Host Delta state emerged winners of the NYG games for the sixth consecutive time  with 116 medals, which include 51 gold, 34 silver and 31 bronze medals.

Lagos state came second with 61 medals, comprising of 21 gold, 19 silver and 21 bronze while Edo secured third position with 57 medals (21 gold, 15 silver, 17 bronze medals). Benue state is the only state that did not win a single medal.

During the games, it was observed that some of the athletes were not well coached before the games, they were applying  poor technique by some games, team officials placing too much emphasis on winning, inadequate welfare for athletes, improper kitting and age cheating among 

However, one of the major objectives of the games, which is to foster national unity was enormously achieved during the Games. 

However, Box 18 continued to wonder what has happened to athletes that have emerged in previous editions of the games. If a 15 year old Athlete was discovered in the first edition in 2013, ten years later, the athlete is expected to have been winning medals for the country. There supposed to be a data base where these potential champions are pooled together for future use. Athletes from the games are supposed to be properly highlighted in the media, so that Nigerians will be able to appreciate the gains of the Games. 

The time has come for the country to find a permanent solution to age cheat and win at all cost syndrome in Games of that caliber, as States go to any extend to display the medals won in the games. Maybe, only certificates of attendance can be issued to participants to solve the problem of age cheating and cutting corners. 

We should guide the National Youth Games properly, before the monster that the destroyed the National Sports Festival infiltrate the Youth Games also.