The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) have signed the Games Hosting Agreement for the 2027 African School Games in Abuja, officially locking in Nigeria’s right to stage the second edition of the competition under the “Abuja 2027” banner.
NSC chairperson Mallam Shehu Dikko said on Monday that the deal fits President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s push to refresh Nigerian sport while placing renewed emphasis on development at the grassroots level, which he described as a core responsibility of the Commission.
“Building Nigerian sport from the grassroots is part of our mandate. At that grassroots level, the base should be school sport, which is why we are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education,” Dikko said.
He highlighted the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) programme, introduced for the National Sports Festival and framed as the “38th state” of participating teams, as an example of the NSC’s grassroots direction. Dikko also pointed to the Commission’s broader task of improving sports infrastructure across the country, citing Nigeria’s experience hosting the COJA and last year’s U-18 and U-20 CAA Athletics Championships as proof of its ability to deliver “a world-class Games.”
NSC Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade added that the agreement mirrors the Commission’s focus on nurturing talent from the ground up. She also praised the organising group assembled for the event, led by Local Organising Committee chairman Lekan Abari.
“I’m pleased that ANOCA is fully satisfied with the standard of the team we have put together to organise these Games,” Olopade said.
ANOCA president Mustapha Berraf thanked the Nigerian government and NSC leadership for their commitment, calling the signing a clear indication that the event will indeed take place in Abuja.
“This is a tremendous moment for sport across Africa, and an even bigger moment for our children. The signing of the Games Hosting Agreement confirms that the Games will be held here in Abuja, and I wish Nigeria the very best,” Berraf said.
At the ceremony, ANOCA presented Dikko with an Honorary Award of Excellence in recognition of his contribution to sports development in Nigeria and across Africa. Olopade received a Plaque of Appreciation for her leadership.
Abari then unveiled the official logo and mascot for the Abuja 2027 African School Games to the ANOCA delegation.
The event was attended by ANOCA’s 1st Vice President João Da Costa, Secretary-General Ahmed Hashim, and Treasurer and Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) president Engr. Habu Gumel, along with NOC Secretary-General Babatunde Popoola.
Other guests included the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports to the President, Anthony Adeboye; National Institute for Sports (NIS) Director-General Comrade Philip Shaibu; and the Algerian Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued.
