By Peter Omopo
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has commenced an appreciation tour of secondary schools to recognise outstanding young Nigerian athletes.
The initiative began with a visit to Grange School in Lagos State, alma mater of standout swimmers Aidan Dumuije-Abili and Tofunmi Ibidapo, who recently excelled at the 2025 Africa Zone 2 Swimming Championship.
In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Director General, Kola Daniel, the tour was described as part of a new strategy by the Commission to identify and encourage young talents early, promote integrity in age-grade sports and reshape youth sports development in Nigeria.
The visit followed Team Nigeria’s strong performance at the continental championship, where the country broke several records and showcased emerging elite youth athletes.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade said the initiative aligns with the leadership example of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that excellence in any field deserves national recognition.
He said the Commission’s renewed focus on grassroots sports development has yielded positive results and expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects at future international competitions, including the 2028 Olympic Games and the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Fourteen-year-old Aidan Dumuije-Abili was named the Most Valuable Junior Athlete at the championship after setting five new Africa Zone 2 records and winning six gold medals, one silver and one bronze. Tofunmi Ibidapo also delivered an impressive performance, clinching gold, silver and bronze medals in individual and relay events.
Olopade said recognising young talents would inspire other Nigerian youths to embrace sports as a pathway to development and success, stressing that grassroots sports remain a top priority for the Commission.
In recognition of their achievements, the NSC presented cash awards of two million naira to Aidan and one million naira to Tofunmi.
The Director General is expected to continue the tour in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where more young athletes will be honoured for their accomplishments.
