History beckons today Wednesday March 26, 2025 as Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, turns the focal point as the host of the maiden edition of biggest sports and social cultural event —the Southwest Games 2025— with a colourful opening ceremony holding at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
The South West Games is a multi-sport initiative designed to empower youth, promote communal unity, showcase and nurture athletic talent in the six states of South West, Nigeria —Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti.
Scheduled to take place from March 26 to 28, the South West Games 2025 is designed as a transformative sporting festival aims to discover and nurture under-18 athletes from across the South West competing in both modern and traditional sports —the festival will feature athletics, basketball, boxing, football, table tennis, volleyball, archery and traditional games like ayo-olopon and abula.
It will feature over 1,200 athletes and 120 officials across multiple sporting disciplines —making it one of the largest regional tournaments in recent history with sporting actions expected at venues such as Yaba College of Technology, Rowe Park, and Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan, Lagos.
Speaking on the Games, Dr. Olanrewaju Alfred, President of the organising committee, said the South West Games is designed to be a memorable event, focusing on discovering and nurturing young talents while fostering stronger communal ties among states in the South West region.
“The Games will serve as a platform to celebrate talent, foster unity, and inspire excellence among young athletes. It is a strategic intervention that will promote regional integration, inspire the youth, and create economic opportunities.”
Alfred added that this groundbreaking event is set to reshape the sporting landscape of the region, driving youth empowerment, grassroots sports development, and cultural integration.
The Games has already received strong endorsement from notable Nigerians —ranging from political leaders and royal figures to sports icons and business moguls. Among those who have shown enthusiasm and rallied behind the Games are Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun; Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke and Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde.
Other Nigeria’s top dignitaries who have endorsed the Games include Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; former Ogun Governor, Olusegun Osoba; Former FIFA Executive Member Amaju Melvin Pinnick; Director General, National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade; Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu; Football Legend & Sports Administrator Segun Odegbami; Odu’a Investment Company Chairman, Bimbo Ashiru and Lagos State Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
“For decades, the South West has been a hub of sporting excellence, and this event will provide a structured avenue to nurture the next generation of champions. This Games, underscoring its potential to redefine sports development in the region while fostering unity, economic empowerment, and youth engagement,” Sanwo-Olu said while declaring his endorsement during the visit of the organising committee to his office last Friday.
The Lagos Governor added “Beyond the thrill of competition, it fosters discipline, teamwork, and a shared identity among our people. The tournament is commendable for laying the groundwork for a future where young Nigerians can excel on global stages.”
Lagos Sports Commission boss, Fatodu, while thanking Sanwo-Olu —the Chief Host of the Games— for receiving the organising committee with open arms, assured that no stone would be left unturned to make the tourney a monumental success.
“Lagos is proud to host this landmark sports fiesta and the LSSC has fully committed its resources to enabling the success of the tournament,” Fatodu said.
Victor Ganzallo, SWG 2025 Director of Media, reinforced the broader significance of the event beyond competition.
“This tournament is about legacy. It is about giving young athletes a sense of purpose, a platform to excel, and an opportunity to dream beyond their immediate environment. BATSWAG and SWG 2025 will serve as a vehicle for talent discovery and national sports development,” Ganzallo stated.
Expectedly, the three-day sporting festival will be showcasing the sporting and cultural heritage of the region in the area of sports and recreation, music, and food. The games will kick off in grand style with Fuji icon, King Saheed Osupa, a leading light with an enormous fan base in the Southwest region performing at the opening ceremony.
The highlights of the games —the Bola Ahmed Tinubu South West Alliance Games (BATSWAG), a sub-event tailored to groom young athletes under the age of 18— is to honour and celebrate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his immense contribution to Nigerian youths and sports.
During the opening ceremony of the sporting festival, iconic business mogul and Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., will be honoured with the Pillar of Sports in Africa award for his influence on sports development in Nigeria and across the continent.
Top blue chip companies including First Bank, the United Bank for Africa, AITEO Group, and Old English have thrown their weights behind the Games, solidifying the tournament’s status ahead of its opening ceremony.
