13 Tertiary Institutions to Battle for Honours in Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics
By James Sani
LOKOJA — No fewer than 13 tertiary institutions in Kogi State will compete in the maiden Governor Ododo All Campus Games 2026, scheduled to begin on Monday, October 26, as the state government steps up efforts to promote youth development, discover sporting talents and foster unity among students.
The competition will officially open at 11 a.m. at the Federal University Lokoja Sports Complex, according to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, who disclosed this during a press briefing on preparations for the sporting festival.
Anyebe said the games would feature male and female athletes competing in football, basketball, volleyball and athletics, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of Kogi youths.
He noted that sports remained a veritable tool for character development, social integration, discipline and talent discovery, adding that the competition would provide an opportunity to identify and nurture promising athletes for future national and international competitions.
The commissioner said the initiative reflected the commitment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, with the support of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, to strengthening sports development and creating opportunities for young people across the state.
The 13 participating institutions are Kogi State University, Kabba; Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja; Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba; Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute (KOICA), Lokoja; Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa; Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Mopa; Federal College of Education, Okene; College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede; Federal University Lokoja; Federal Polytechnic, Idah; Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara; College of Agriculture, Kabba; and College of Health Sciences, Idah.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hon. Momoh Steven Azeez, said preparations for the maiden edition had lasted nearly three months, covering venue arrangements, mobilisation, funding and security.
He urged media organisations to give the competition adequate publicity and participate in the opening ceremony, noting that the sporting festival would run for approximately two weeks, progressing through preliminary rounds, semi-finals and finals.
Azeez said the games would promote interaction among students from different institutions while advancing the governor’s sports development agenda. He commended Ododo for supporting the initiative, describing it as a major step towards strengthening sports in the state.
The Chairman of the Governor Ododo All Campus Games 2026, Comrade Michael Joshua Achor, disclosed that attractive prizes would be presented to winners across the various sporting categories.
He said the athletics programme would feature the 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres and 4×100 metres relay, adding that details of the prize money would be announced in due course.
Explaining the concept behind the competition, Achor said the all-campus format was designed to recreate the atmosphere of a sporting festival within the tertiary education community, giving students opportunities to showcase their abilities while building institutional pride and camaraderie.
He, however, disclosed that some athletics events would be held at Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, because several participating institutions lacked standard facilities for such competitions.
The Director of Sports in the ministry, Mr. Paul Aje, also commended the commissioner for driving the initiative, describing the games as another milestone in Kogi State’s sports development efforts.
The maiden Governor Ododo All Campus Games is expected to bring together students, sports administrators and supporters for a two-week celebration of athletic talent, healthy rivalry and the unifying power of sports.
