NOGIG 2026 set to mark 40 years of industry unity with landmark 20th edition

The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) will stage its 20th edition from February 8 to 14, 2026, with organisers hailing the event as a landmark celebration of four decades of unity, collaboration and excellence within the sector, Sport360NG reports.

Addressing journalists at a pre-event briefing on Thursday, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Engr. Sulaiman Sulaiman, disclosed that the 2026 Games will feature about 1,200 athletes and officials competing in 13 sporting disciplines.

He explained that participants will represent 15 oil and gas companies, regulatory agencies and affiliated institutions, positioning NOGIG as one of the largest corporate sporting events in Nigeria.

Sulaiman noted that since its inception in 2006, NOGIG has evolved into the industry’s flagship biennial sporting platform, strengthening engagement among international oil companies, indigenous operators and regulatory bodies.

According to him, the Games extend beyond athletic competition, serving as a tool for promoting employee wellness, resilience and cohesion across the industry, while encouraging healthy rivalry grounded in professionalism and shared values.

“For 40 years, NOGIG has played a vital role in building relationships across the industry, relationships that continue to drive collaboration and operational efficiency,” he said.

He also underscored the wider national relevance of the Games, describing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as a cornerstone of the economy and a significant contributor to global energy supply.

“At a time of rapid change in the global energy landscape, platforms like NOGIG help reinforce the principles that sustain progress, teamwork, discipline, excellence, inclusiveness and a shared sense of purpose,” Sulaiman added.

The LOC chairman assured stakeholders of the committee’s readiness to deliver a safe, inclusive and well-coordinated event. He revealed that the organising committee, drawn from all 15 participating organisations with NNPC Limited serving as Secretariat, is prioritising fairness, safety and integrity throughout the competition.

“As the Games run from February 8 to 14, we invite the media, industry stakeholders and the global community to join us in celebrating 40 years of unity through sport,” he said.

“The 20th edition of NOGIG is not merely an anniversary; it is a renewed affirmation that collaboration, wellness and shared purpose remain central to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.”

The 2026 Games will conclude with awards and honours recognising outstanding teams and individual athletes, as the industry reflects on four decades of sporting tradition and cooperation.