THE PROMISE: What Hosting Should Deliver
By: Frank “Big ID” Alapa
Nigeria has secured the hosting rights for the 2nd African School Games in 2027, marking a major milestone in the nation’s sports diplomacy and youth development agenda. It must be noted, however, that Nigeria’s growing appetite for hosting national and continental sports events — from the National Sports Festival (NSF) to the African School Games — is often framed in terms of growth, prestige, and youth development.
THE GAINS OF HOSTING EVENTS
| Area | Expected Impact |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Upgraded stadiums, Games villages, Olympic-class pools, training centres |
| Economic Benefit | Boost to GDP, SME growth, job creation, hospitality boom |
| Youth Development | Grassroots exposure, scouting, future Olympians |
| National Branding | Positioning Nigeria as a continental leader in sports diplomacy |
| Legacy Projects | Facilities and systems that outlast the event |
THE REALITY:
Despite these promises, Nigeria has consistently failed to publish post-event audits or impact reports.
For Instance -Ogun 2024 (Gateway Games) – What We Know
Positive Headlines:
BUT the outlook is mixed:
-
No Post‑Games Audit: No public report has been released detailing actual spend, upkeep, or reuse of facilities after NSF ended.
-
Legacy Uncertain: Promised private‑sector concessions and venue use remain unclear; benefits beyond the event period are unmeasured.
🇳🇬 Nigeria’s 2027 Hosting Bid – Leaping Without Looking?
At the African School Games closing in Algiers, Nigeria was officially handed the flag to host the 2nd edition in 2027.
Yet no lessons from Ogun 2024 have been tabled, no public review conducted, and no clear legacy strategy revealed.
GAPS IN THE SYSTEM
| Oversight Area | Observed Weakness |
|---|---|
| Budget Transparency | No breakdown of final expenditure or contractor details |
| Legacy Facility Use | Unknown post-event utility status of venues |
| Athlete Progression | No development tracking after medals are won |
| Community Impact | No reporting on local business benefits or CSR outreach |
| Public Engagement | No town halls or post-event debriefs with the hosting public |
BUKOLA OLOPADE: Broker, Builder — or Just Buzz?
As Director General of the Nigeria Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade has emerged as a central figure in Nigeria’s new sports-hosting momentum.
“In 2027, we will set a new benchmark for hosting,” he said after accepting the ANOCA flag in Algeria.
But while Olopade leads the charge into 2027, no formal legacy audit has been published on his most recent project — Ogun 2024.
That raises a hard editorial question:
Is Nigeria building sports legacy or just collecting event flags?
IDNN’S SOLUTION: THE 8-POINT AUDIT FRAMEWORK FOR SPORTS EVENTS
To stop the cycle of hype-without-accountability, IDNN proposes this audit template for all future sports events hosted in Nigeria:
| # | AUDIT METRIC | WHAT TO TRACK |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Budget Disclosure | Original vs Actual Spend (by category) |
| 2️⃣ | Procurement Oversight | Vendor list, contract sizes, procurement method |
| 3️⃣ | Infrastructure Report | Facilities built, quality, handover status |
| 4️⃣ | Economic Impact | GDP delta, SME participation, job creation |
| 5️⃣ | Athlete Welfare | Stipends, camps, post-event opportunities |
| 6️⃣ | Host Community Index | Feedback, CSR projects, local access post-event |
| 7️⃣ | Media Spend & Equity | Sponsored PR vs state coverage balance |
| 8️⃣ | White Paper | Independent audit within 90 days, publicly released |
🧾 Downloadable version coming soon on IDNN.com.ng
THE VERDICT
Sports events in Nigeria remain a one-way celebration: we roll out medals, fireworks, and headlines — but no proof of value.
The cost-to-impact ratio is never revealed, and the same faces chase the next hosting rights while old facilities decay.
Until that changes, the real gold medal belongs to those asking the hard questions — and that’s what IDNN was built for.
This is IDNN. Independent. Digital. Uncompromising.
