President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and leading figures in sports administration and economic development are scheduled to feature in the opening-day programme of the National Grassroots Sports Development Summit 2026 in Abuja.

The two-day event, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, is scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa.

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With the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” the summit aims to develop practical solutions to challenges affecting talent discovery, sports infrastructure, funding, coaching and athlete development across Nigeria.

According to the organisers, President Tinubu is listed as the Special Guest of Honour for the opening day on Wednesday, November 18, while Fashola is scheduled to deliver the keynote address.

Dr Tayo Aduloju, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), is also expected to participate. The organisation has been engaged as the summit’s technical partner to help translate discussions into a workable development roadmap.

Other figures listed for the opening-day programme include National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade.

The programme also features the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and the Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Nigeria.

Sports administration representatives expected to participate include Barrister Enitan Oshodi, President of the African Table Tennis Federation, and the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

Dr Musa Nakorji of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Research Department is also listed among the participants.

The organisers said the broad representation reflects the summit’s focus on linking sports development with economic planning, education, grassroots governance, international cooperation and private-sector investment.

Adeboye described the gathering as an opportunity to move Nigerian sports beyond isolated successes towards a coordinated national development system.

“The real question is not whether Nigeria has sporting talent. We know we have talent in abundance. The question is how we build a system that discovers, nurtures and supports that talent consistently, from our communities and schools to the international stage,” he said.

He stressed that the participation of state governments, local councils, development institutions and sports administrators would be essential to achieving lasting results.

The summit is expected to continue on Thursday, November 19, with further stakeholder engagements aimed at producing actionable recommendations for sustainable grassroots sports development.

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Organisers expressed confidence that the gathering would provide a platform for strengthening the foundations of Nigerian sports and expanding opportunities for young people across the country.