Grassroots sports summit to drive talent development, says presidential aide
By Asuelimen Osasuyi
-pix SSA to President Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Adeboye, has described the forthcoming National Grassroots Sports Development Summit 2026 as a strategic platform for repositioning sports development and talent discovery across Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference held at the VIP Lounge of the National Stadium, Abuja, Adeboye said the summit would focus on creating sustainable structures for identifying, nurturing and advancing sporting talents nationwide.
According to him, Nigeria possesses abundant sporting talent, but many young athletes remain undiscovered due to inadequate facilities, limited opportunities and the absence of effective development pathways.
“Somewhere in Nigeria today, a future world champion is waiting to be discovered. Our responsibility is to ensure that such a child is not denied the opportunity to succeed simply because of where they were born or their family’s financial circumstances,” he said.
Adeboye commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting efforts to reposition Nigerian sports, stressing that talent development must extend to all 774 local government areas of the country.
He explained that the summit would bring together government agencies, sports federations, development partners, private investors and other stakeholders to develop a practical roadmap for grassroots sports development.
The presidential aide noted that the summit’s technical partnership with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) would enhance discussions on policy, investment and sustainable growth in the sports sector.
Scheduled to hold from November 18 to 19, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the summit is themed “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development.”
Discussions will focus on five key areas: Participation, Talent Development, Infrastructure, Sports Economy and International Pathways.
Adeboye expressed optimism that the summit would produce practical recommendations capable of transforming grassroots sports and expanding opportunities for young athletes across Nigeria.
The event attracted sports administrators, government officials, media practitioners and other stakeholders, reflecting growing interest in the development of a sustainable grassroots sports system in the country.
