Adeboye: We Want to Redefine Nigeria’s Approach to Grassroots Sports Devt.

Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, has declared that a forthcoming two-day grassroots sports summit represents a significant opportunity to redefine Nigeria's approach to nurturing young sporting talent. Speaking at a press conference held at the Abuja National Stadium, Adeboye emphasized that the summit's objectives include the establishment of sustainable structures for talent identification, participation, and advancement.

He highlighted that Nigeria is home to immense sporting potential, but a significant number of promising young athletes remain undiscovered due to a lack of facilities, limited opportunities, and the absence of structured development pathways. Adeboye stressed that every child in Nigeria should have the chance to succeed in sports, regardless of their location or financial background.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's commitment to transforming Nigerian sports and stressed the importance of investing in young talents across all 774 local government areas of the country. The summit, themed "Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development," will bring together government institutions, sports federations, private investors, development partners, and other stakeholders to create a concrete national roadmap for grassroots sports development.

Scheduled for November 18-19, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the State House Presidential Villa in Abuja, the summit will focus on five strategic pillars: Participation, Talent Development, Infrastructure, Sports Economy, and International Pathways. Notable attendees include Comrade Philip Shaibu, Director-General of the National Institute for Sports; Mr. Kumbi Titiloye, Chairman of Kwara United Football Club; and Ms. Seun Ojo, Head of Public Affairs & Public Policy at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, which will serve as the summit's technical partner.