The 22nd National Sports Festival, also known as Gateway Games 2024, is set to kick off with a grand opening ceremony featuring performances by Nigerian music icons Davido and Asa. The event will take place today, May 18, 2025, at the MKO Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, starting at 5 p.m.
Organizers have planned a range of activities and cultural displays to enrich the festival experience. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission and Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, anticipates a well-organized opening ceremony that meets global standards.
The performances by Asa and Davido are expected to be major highlights, adding to the excitement as over 10,000 athletes from across Nigeria compete in 33 different sports. Vice President Kashim Shettima will officially declare the Games open, marking the commencement of two weeks of national unity through sports. The festival is scheduled to run from May 16 to May 30, 2025.