The second edition of the Niger Delta Games, tagged Edo 2026, was officially declared open on Friday at the historic Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, marking the commencement of a week-long multi-sport event scheduled to conclude on February 27 in Benin City.
Sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited, the Games have attracted over 3,000 athletes and officials from nine Niger Delta states, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, Abia and Rivers. Participants are competing in 16 to 17 sports, including athletics, football, basketball, volleyball and wrestling. Team draws for the ball games were conducted earlier at the stadium’s media centre.
The opening ceremony commenced at 5:00 p.m. and featured cultural displays, a colourful parade of contingents and musical performances by Patoranking, Eben and DJ Phyna. The symbolic lighting of the Games Torch was performed by former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba.
Edo State undertook significant facility upgrades ahead of the competition and was declared “98 per cent ready” by organisers prior to the opening. The host state has fielded 282 athletes and will aim to leverage home advantage in the medal standings. Defending champions Akwa Ibom, who topped the medals table at the inaugural edition in Uyo with nine gold medals, are among the favourites, alongside Rivers and Delta states.
Chairman of Dunamis-Icon Limited, Sir Itiako Malik Ikpokpo, reiterated that the central objective of the Games is to reform the culture of sports development in the region and promote integrity.
The message of this Games is simple and clear, and that is, we want to take the young ones off the street, make sure cheating stops in our sports, stop drug taking and also make sure people stop lying about their ages.
We also want to encourage grooming people in our various states and communities because we have abundant talents everywhere. We also need to develop coaches, build ourselves in our communities, thereby taking the youths off the streets and that’s the message of the Games,” he stated.
He also highlighted the broader social impact of the initiative.
I’ve been in public service, and I can tell you that one of the things that gives you excitement is when you see people do better and the only people you see at that level are younger ones.
You’re equally happy, when you see them living their lives and their dreams. We have children, we have kids and we want them to do better. You can see that most of the young people who came here have never been to cities before and this is a real life experience for them.
Imagine them coming to Benin, experiencing Benin City. Those who came to Uyo, experienced Uyo. That’s the beginning of an experience. Some drove six, eight hours to get here and I think it’s a story of lifetime experience for them,” he concluded.
In his address, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, expressed appreciation to the NDDC for sponsoring the Games and assured participating states of the government’s full support.
We as a government are happy hosting this Games because of the enormous benefits it have for not only the youths of Edo State but the entire youths of the nine participating states.
It’s equally important that I thank NDDC for it’s foresight in sponsoring the Games which has helped in unearthing talents in our various states and I charge the athletes and officials to play according to the rules of the Games and not do anything that will bring it to disrepute”, the Governor noted.
Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to sustaining the Games, noting that the initiative aligns with efforts to positively impact youths across the Niger Delta region.
Declaring the Games open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, commended the organisers and sponsors for investing in youth development. He observed that similar youth competitions in the past produced accomplished athletes such as Chioma Ajunwa, Mary Onyali, Falilat Ogunkoya and Bash Ali, urging participants to maximise the opportunity.
With competition now in progress, the Edo 2026 Niger Delta Games are expected to serve as a platform for talent discovery, regional integration and the advancement of sports development across the Niger Delta.
