Niger State Sports Commission Launches Inaugural Inter-Collegiate Sports Competition , Addresses Football Governance Concerns
The Niger State Sports Commission has announced plans to host its first-ever inter-collegiate sports competition, involving all tertiary institutions in the state, scheduled to commence on February 9, 2026, in Minna, the state capital.
Danjuma Abdullahi Masu, Chairman of the Commission, revealed that eleven higher education institutions will participate in this event, which aims to foster student unity and showcase athletic talent across various sports.
He stated that over 500 registered athletes will compete across eleven disciplines, including racket sports, combat sports, football, volleyball, basketball, handball, chase, and Scrabble.
Masu emphasized the partnership with the media for effective marketing, advocacy, and publicity efforts. Currently, seven universities among the state’s tertiary institutions are participating.
The Chairman assured that registration is free, with measures in place to ensure transparency and proper management of the process.
He also thanked Governor Mohammed Umar Bago for creating an enabling environment for sports development in Niger State and praised the collaborative efforts of managing teams and donors who contributed medical supplies for the event. He urged increased private sector involvement in the state’s sports initiatives.
Awards will include four trophies and medals for all participants. The overall winning school will receive a giant trophy, with awards also designated for first, second, and third runners-up, along with medals and sportswear for other competitors. The best athletes in each sport will be invited to participate in the National Sports Festival scheduled for Enugu State later this year.
Separately, Masu has expressed intentions to withdraw the Niger Tornadoes Football Club from the ongoing National Premier League due to perceived unfair treatment by the Nigerian Football Federation. He criticized the federation’s decision to reschedule Tornadoes’ matches to other states, describing it as politically motivated and self-serving.
Masu called for the reversal of these decisions, citing the Niger State stadium’s superior facilities compared to other venues.
He condemned political interference in sports and urged the federation to focus on enhancing Nigeria’s sports development by improving governance and organizational standards.
