TILEWA ADEBAJO, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Charman for the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Gateway Games 2024
TILEWA ADEBAJO, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Charman for the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Gateway Games 2024, a multi-sport event that has attracted thousands of athletes, entrepreneurs, and SMEs from across Nigeria to Ogun State, transforming the region into a hub of sporting excellence and vibrant business activity.
In this exclusive interview with ANTHONY NLEBEM, Adebajo discusses the festival’s economic impact, the business and sports opportunities it offers, and the long-term legacy for Ogun State. Excerpts:
Ogun State is ranked the eighth-largest economy in Nigeria, with an estimated GDP of N5.03 trillion. What is the expected economic impact of the festival on the state?
Governor Dapo Abiodun’s private sector background has helped us align efficiently with corporate stakeholders. We’ve had tremendous support from major industries operating within Ogun State. You only need to look at our sponsorship page to see the level of corporate commitment.
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This support has helped us deliver what I believe is the most well-organised National Sports Festival in Nigeria’s history. Importantly, the SMEs are the biggest beneficiaries. Take adiré, for example; our local adiré sellers are completely sold out. Food vendors and other small businesses have experienced a massive boom.
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We estimate that the National Sports Festival could boost Ogun State’s GDP by up to 10%, considering the value chain effects across accommodation, food, retail, transport, and commerce
How are local businesses and vendors being integrated into the festival ecosystem?
The SME sector is thriving. Food sellers are recording significant profits, and others in retail and hospitality are seeing unprecedented demand. Beyond the commercial gains, the spirit of entrepreneurship is alive across the Games venues. It’s now important that we begin to think about sustainability and how to maintain this momentum beyond the festival.
What measures have been taken to ensure facilities are used beyond the Games?
We have upgraded the sports infrastructure across the state, with investments nearing N20 billion. These include top-notch stadiums and training grounds that will outlive the festival. Going forward, we’re looking to concession these facilities through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to maintain and operate them sustainably.
Ogun State has a rich legacy in athletics, from Tobi Amusan to Falilat Ogunkoya. Our youth population is 80% under 40, and this investment in sports infrastructure is a key pillar of our youth empowerment strategy.
So we need to upgrade the youth empowerment programmes. The demographic of Nigeria is such that youth under 40 account for 80% of our population. So that is number one. Once you’ve invested in the sports infrastructure, then all the stadiums across the state can now be concessioned on a PPP basis to other private sector people who want to build sporting facilities and use this place to develop sports. So the government has made a significant amount of investments in the sports infrastructure.
What arrangements have been made for athletes’ accommodation and welfare?
We must give credit to Babcock University, which made its entire facility available. For the first time in the history of the National Sports Festival, all athletes are housed in one location. So basically, we’re lucky in the sense that when you have that private sector involvement, you know that you need to outsource certain things to the people who have the capacity.
With Babcock’s independent power and water supply, utilities are guaranteed. Transportation logistics have also been smooth, with 80 operational buses and 20 on standby.
What is the estimated budget for hosting the Gateway Games 2024?
Hosting the 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024, has cost over N25 billion, with contributions from both the Ogun State Government and private sponsors. Many well-meaning individuals and organisations have donated, and the LOC has been preparing for over two years.
Which states impressed you the most, and what was your impression of the athletes’ performance during the festival?
Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, and Rivers have been impressive, as usual. Lagos has been underwhelming. Then it’s either Lagos, Ogun, or Oyo. So everybody now has their niche.
It’s been very good. I think the standards are very high. So, when you ask me a question about what state has impressed me, let me tell you the category that has impressed me the most. There was a young man from Delta State, a swimmer, who broke a lot of national records. So I think that is the standard performance because national records have been broken. But I think what is important, or the thing that really blew me away, were the para-athletes because we have Olympic-calibre athletes at the para-level. So what is important for me is that our para-athletes need to be encouraged because they are under-resourced sometimes, and the corporates need to look that way too.
What long-term legacy does the LOC hope to leave in terms of infrastructure and development as a result of this sports festival?
Well, what is important is that the first thing we want to focus on is the Abeokuta Stadium as the capital. We have set a standard: an Olympic pool. Because some of these stadiums were built a while back. From time to time, we need to upgrade them. So the key question you mentioned is sustainability.
The long-term plan is to brand and maintain these upgraded facilities. For example, Abeokuta Stadium can be branded as a “Gateway Stadium” and used year-round. This improves CSR value and brand visibility for corporate sponsors.
Sponsoring sports is not only impactful; it is tax-deductible, which makes it a win-win for the private sector.
What makes this edition of the National Sports Festival unique, in terms of organisation and impact?
This is the best-organised National Sports Festival to date, from athletes’ participation and welfare to logistics, entertainment, and infrastructure. The opening ceremony alone, featuring stars like Asa and Davido, was spectacular. The coordination has been top-notch across all fronts.
It’s been an emotional journey for me, having watched the first festival in 1973, played cricket for Kano State, and now serving as Chairman of the LOC.
