The second Pan African School Games will take place at James Hope College in Lekki from October 16 to 18, with the organisers positioning the event as a pathway for young athletes to access educational and sporting opportunities that extend far beyond winning medals.
Dr Seun Akinbohun, Dr Busola Tejumola and Aderoju Ope-Ajayi said the competition has been created to help talented young Africans convert their sporting ability into long-term achievement in both education and life.
The inaugural tournament featured 11 schools and attracted more than 300 student-athletes. A larger field is anticipated for this year’s event, with increasing numbers of schools indicating their interest in taking part.
Formerly known as the Africa School Games, the competition has been renamed to underline its wider continental vision. The organisers stressed that the project was not intended to remain confined to Lagos or Nigeria, but to bring together young people from across Africa through competition, learning and cultural interaction.
Schools from Kenya and Ghana are expected to join the 2027 edition, marking another move towards establishing the event as a truly continent-wide school sports competition.
A partnership with Plumptre Advisory has also connected the Games with overseas institutions, including McCallie School in the United States and Bethany School, Buckswood School and Roedean School in the United Kingdom.
Top-performing competitors will have opportunities to be seen by scouts, coaches and academic institutions, potentially opening doors to scholarships, school admissions and further development in their chosen sports.
Schools entering the Games will also contest a newly acquired school bus, provided by Mikano Changan Motors.
The organisers identified financing, transport arrangements, logistics, venue operations, qualified officials, athlete safeguarding and medical services as key demands involved in delivering a multi-sport competition. Rather than relying on one financial backer, they have adopted a framework based on sponsorships, strategic alliances and institutional backing.
Experience from the first edition has helped strengthen preparations, transport planning and athlete care. The renewed priorities include identifying emerging talent, raising technical quality and improving engagement with all stakeholders.
Prime Atlantic, Mikano Changan, UAC Foods, Nigerian Exchange, 33 Productions, What Media, Kantar, Logic City and Flutterwave are supporting this year’s Games. The Lagos State Government and Lagos State Sports Commission are also involved, particularly in the areas of talent identification and the growth of school sports.
The long-term objective is to establish a network connecting schools, coaches, parents, sports officials, scouts and educational institutions. For the organisers, the most valuable outcomes for the young participants should include self-belief, visibility, meaningful relationships and a stronger chance of a successful future.
