Joel Ajayi
…As PremiumTrust Bank emerges as headline sponsor
In line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, the National Sports Festival has entered a new phase of growth, as corporate giants continue to pledge their support for the 23rd edition of the Games, set to be hosted by Enugu State in 2026.
In a landmark agreement, PremiumTrust Bank and BetKing have committed as sponsors for the 23rd edition of the Games, setting the stage for what is projected to be the most successful and impactful festival in the history of the Games.
The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Enugu between the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and PremiumTrust Bank Managing Director Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, CON and the MD of BetKing, Gossy Ukanwoke.
The discussion focused on key elements of the upcoming festival—from infrastructure, logistics, sponsorship, youth development and legacy programming.
The decision by key sponsors to invest in Enugu 2026 was also largely influenced by the visionary leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, whose commitment to infrastructure renewal, youth empowerment, and innovation in governance has inspired confidence in the state’s readiness to host a world-class Games. Stakeholders at the meeting commended his bold agenda for transforming Enugu into a hub for investment and development.
PremiumTrust Bank, under the leadership of Managing Director Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, CON, has emerged as the headline sponsor of the 2026 Games.
Also, BetKing, led by Gossy Ukanwoke, was confirmed as a major sponsor, further underscoring the private sector’s growing confidence in the nation’s sports ecosystem.
Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade stated that the agreements serve as a direct reflection of the President Tinubu administration’s drive to reposition sports as a vital part of national development with a buoyant sports economy that would lead to increased job creation, youth engagement, and infrastructure investment.
“This is a turning point for Nigerian sports,” said NSC DG Hon. Bukola Olopade. “We are witnessing the real impact of the Renewed Hope agenda. Sport is no longer being seen as a recreational afterthought—it’s now viewed as a national asset.”
PremiumTrust Bank which played a leading role in the successful hosting of Gateway Games Ogun 2024, returns as the headline sponsor, further solidifying its role in the growth of grassroots and elite sports in Nigeria.
“We are not only unlocking opportunities for our athletes but also establishing a credible path for sports to contribute to national GDP, employment, and related valuechain,” Hon. Olopade added.
Since assuming office, the new leadership of the NSC under Mallam Shehu Dikko as chairman and Hon. Bukola Olopade as Director General, has aggressively pursued the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who declared sports a core pillar in Nigeria’s economic renewal strategy.
