The major objective of the Niger Delta Games is to discover and groom potential podium athletes to sustain the region’s supremacy in national competitions, and assist in securing the future of Nigerian sports.
At the media unveiling of the games’ second edition in Lagos on Wednesday, the Managing Director of Dunamis-Icon Limited (project consultants of the the games), Sir Itiako Ikpokpo said that the purpose of the competition is also to empower the athletes to attain gainful professional careers in domestic and international sports.
Ikpokpo explained: ‘Part of the process is by getting down to the grassroots to inspire interest and participation in various sports disciplines, and strengthening eligibility rules to curb issues like age cheating and poaching across states, and encourage states to invest in sports infrastructure.
‘Critical to the task is the need for competitions which provides the platform for athletes to showcase their talents. This is what the NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission) is doing by sponsoring the games’.
He emphasised that Dunamis-Icon and NDDC do not intend to own athletes, and therefore challenged the states in the region to take advantage of the opportunity provided through the games to nurture and harness the talents that are discovered.
‘The states of the Niger Delta have a duty to harness those talents identified at the games. On our part, we have identified over 600 athletes with potentials and it is left for them to work to help the athletes realise their full potentials’, Ikpokpo, who also chairs the board of the Delta State Athletics Association, declared.
He said that each of the nine participating states would present equal 270 athletes to compete in the 17 sports disciplines to be featured in the games.
He echoed earlier assurances of the
Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Alabo Boma Iyaye, that the second Niger Delta Games would be more impactful than the first edition.
‘Uyo (which hosted the first edition) has been acclaimed very successful, but I must admit that it was not perfect. We are going to build on the successes and deliver a more efficient second edition’, he promised.
Ikpokpo disclosed that the event would be held from 20 to 27 February 2026, and commended the host, Edo State, for the availability of sports infrastructure, and its maintenance of the iconic Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, amongst others.
At the media briefing with Ikpokpo were the Project Director, Fred Edoreh; Head of Communications and Publicity, Harry Iwuala; Head of Culture and Entertainment, Edi Lawani; Chairman of the Scouting and Mentorship Committee, Godwin Enakhena; and Head Special Duties, Onome Obrhute.
