By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has engaged officials of World Athletics in Budapest, Hungary, over Nigeria’s interest in hosting the 2030 World Athletics U20 Championships.
The meeting was held on Saturday on the sidelines of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships, with discussions centred on Nigeria’s ambition to bring the global athletics community to the country and demonstrate its capacity to stage a world-class international sporting event.
Olopade reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to provide a conducive sporting environment, warm hospitality and the facilities and organizational standards required for a successful championship.
He said the country’s increasing investment in sports infrastructure, athlete development and event management had strengthened its capacity to take on greater responsibilities on the international sporting stage.
The NSC Director General cited Nigeria’s successful hosting of the 2025 CAA Africa U20/U18 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as evidence of the country’s ability to organize major athletics competitions.
Nigeria had stepped in at short notice to host the continental championship in July 2025, receiving delegations from more than 40 African countries and close to 1,000 athletes, officials and other participants.
According to Olopade, the successful Abeokuta championships demonstrated Nigeria’s hospitality, organizational capacity and passion for athletics, while providing a strong foundation for the country’s bid to host the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2030.
The engagement in Budapest is part of the NSC’s broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s relationship with international sports governing bodies and position the country as a preferred destination for major global sporting events.
