- The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku speaking during opening ceremony of the 2nd Edition of the Niger Delta Games in Benin, Edo State. With him are, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie (right); the Chairman Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquor Ekpeyong (left) and Guinness World Record holder for the longest radio show, Mr. Mighty George (2nd right)
Admin I Saturday, February 21.26
BENIN CITY, Nigeria — Under the soaring concrete arches of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the air this week was thick not with the usual political rhetoric of the oil-rich Niger Delta, but with the scent of track clay and the roar of 3,000 hopeful athletes.
The opening of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games marked a pivotal moment for a region often defined by its extractive industries.
This time, the “raw material” being celebrated was human capital. Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), stood before the assembled youth from nine states to deliver a firm promise: this biennial sporting fiesta is here to stay.
“We found out that state governments often hire professionals from elsewhere just to win gold medals,” Dr. Ogbuku told the crowd, his voice echoing across the pitch.
“This competition is different. It is for the amateurs. We are using what we have to groom our own.”
The games arrive at a time when Nigeria is grappling with how to effectively engage its massive youth population. For decades, the Niger Delta has been the heartbeat of the nation’s economy, yet its young people have frequently felt sidelined from the prosperity generated by the oil beneath their feet.
Representing President Bola Tinubu at the ceremony, Senator John Enoh, the Minister of State for Industry, framed the event as a core component of the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. He urged the NDDC to look beyond traditional infrastructure—roads and bridges—and invest heavily in initiatives that empower women and youth.
”Beyond medals and trophies, this game is about talent discovery,” the President’s statement read. “Young talents must see sport as a pathway to career and global recognition.”
While the NDDC is currently the sole financier of the seven-day event, Dr. Ogbuku issued a direct challenge to the regional governors: Join us. The sustainability of the games, he argued, depends on a collaborative funding model that moves beyond a single federal agency.
The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, appeared ready to meet that energy. He announced a 20 million naira ($12,500 approx.) reward for the winning state and 10 million naira for the runner-up.
“The Niger Delta is not only defined by its resources,” Governor Okpebholo said. “It is defined by its resilience, talent, and boundless human potential.”
The inaugural games held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, served as a proof-of-concept. This second edition in Benin City has scaled significantly, now featuring over 3,000 participants.
According to Alabo Boma Iyaye, the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, the goal is to create a pipeline where a teenager from a remote fishing village can be scouted, trained, and eventually placed on an international podium.
As the competitions begin across various disciplines, the message from the region’s leadership is clear: the Niger Delta is betting on its people. For the athletes sprinting down the lanes in Benin, the finish line isn’t just the end of a race—it’s the potential start of a professional career.
