Bayelsa and Kaduna Confirmed as Hosts for 2028 and 2030 National Sports Festival

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially announced Bayelsa State as the host of the 2028 National Sports Festival, marking the first time the South-South state will stage the country’s premier domestic sporting event. Kaduna State will host the 2030 edition, making it the third time the northern state will organise the festival, having previously hosted in 1977 and 2009, Sport360NG reports.

NSC Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised both states for demonstrating the necessary commitment and preparedness to host the Games. “We are pleased that the National Sports Festival has regained its appeal, with states now expressing genuine interest in hosting. This renewed enthusiasm reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prioritisation of the sports sector under his administration,” Olopade said.

He further explained that the Renewed Hope Initiative for the Nigerian Sports Economy aims to revamp and rebrand the festival, focusing on improved structure, organisation, and standards.

“The 2025 National Sports Festival in Ogun State was widely recognised as the best in the history of the festival. We are now raising the bar even higher with the 2026 Games in Enugu and the upcoming 2028 and 2030 editions in Bayelsa and Kaduna, respectively,” Olopade added.