Sanwo-Olu approves LOC for maiden National Intermediate Games
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the maiden National Intermediate Games (NIG) Lagos 2026, marking a significant step toward advancing youth sports development in Nigeria. The LOC will be led by Co-Chairmen Sam Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor; Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner […]
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Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the maiden National Intermediate Games (NIG) Lagos 2026, marking a significant step toward advancing youth sports development in Nigeria.
The LOC will be led by Co-Chairmen Sam Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor; Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development; and Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC). Their appointment signals the state government’s commitment to delivering a high-quality sporting event.
The National Intermediate Games are designed to bridge the developmental gap for athletes aged 16 to 19, providing a structured and competitive platform that transitions young talents from grassroots levels to elite national competition. The tournament will feature participants from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, explained that Lagos was selected as host based on its proven capacity to successfully organize major sporting events. “There is a unique energy that Lagos brings to national assignments, and with this high-calibre LOC, we are confident the National Intermediate Games are in the best possible hands.
“We look forward to a synergy between the National Sports Commission and the Lagos State Sports Commission that sets a permanent gold standard for youth competitions in Africa,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, praised the governor’s proactive leadership, describing it as a driving force behind the initiative. “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has once again demonstrated that his commitment to the youth of this state and the nation is not merely rhetorical but deeply structural.
“By providing an unrivalled enabling environment and the robust political will to back our sporting initiatives, the Governor has turned Lagos into a global laboratory for talent excellence. This initiative will serve as the vehicle to execute Mr Governor’s vision of making sports a viable pathway for economic empowerment and national pride,” he said.
Fatodu further noted that sustained government support has strengthened the commission institutionally, positioning it to deliver the 2026 games with world-class infrastructure and cutting-edge technology in line with international standards.