2026 National Sports Festival: Enugu state governor gives fresh directives

The latest development followed a strategic working visit by the MOC Advisory Team to the Enugu State Government House on Wednesday, the second visit by the NSC and MOC to the state in a week in preparation for the Festival.

The first visit focused largely on inspecting facilities earmarked to host the Games.

While NSC Director General and Chairman of the MOC, Honourable Bukola Olopade, has repeatedly expressed confidence that Enugu is ready to host the Festival, findings by stakeholders and an assessment of some facilities indicate that a number of key projects are still some distance from completion.

Among the areas generating concern are the swimming pool, the access road to the Games Village and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, which is currently undergoing renovation.

The concerns have heightened the importance of the latest high-level meeting between the MOC Advisory Team and Governor Mbah, with the team briefing the governor on the progress made so far and areas requiring immediate executive intervention.

Led by MOC Consultant, Dr Kweku Tandoh, the delegation sought to ensure that preparations remain on schedule and that the Festival meets the standards set by the NSC.

In response, Governor Mbah issued a series of directives aimed at accelerating the preparation process.

He ordered immediate action on the issues raised and constituted a monitoring team to provide him with daily updates on the progress of work.

The governor also directed the immediate activation of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Secretariat as the operational hub for the Games, as well as the composition and activation of all LOC subcommittees.

In a bid to improve efficiency, the number of LOC subcommittees was reduced from 19 to 13.

Mbah also gave a firm assurance that the Games would not be postponed, declaring that all sporting infrastructure, including the Games Village and competition venues, would be completed and delivered before the commencement of the Festival.

The governor further directed the immediate rollout of media, publicity and marketing campaigns to build nationwide awareness and excitement ahead of the Games.

He also expressed his intention to maintain regular meetings with the MOC Advisory Team to monitor preparations, resolve emerging challenges and keep the hosting process on track.

The MOC team, meanwhile, reaffirmed the full support of the NSC and its commitment to working closely with the Enugu State Government to deliver a peaceful and well organised Festival.

Enugu’s hosting of the 23rd National Sports Festival is particularly significant as it marks the first time since the Imo ’98 Games that a South-East state will host Nigeria’s biggest multi-sport event.

The delegation included Dr Emmanuel Igbinosa, Sunday Odebode, Idowu Oladipupo and LOC Secretary-General Olumide Bamiduro.

With the Games drawing closer, attention will now shift from assurances to the actual pace of work at the venues and other critical facilities, as Enugu faces the challenge of turning its preparations into a Festival-ready reality.

- Blueprint