A new chapter in Nigeria’s sporting future began on Wednesday as the Olympafrica Centre was officially unveiled in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, with stakeholders describing it as a major boost for grassroots sports development.
President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel, said the multi-billion naira facility represents a long-awaited investment in nurturing young talent and strengthening the country’s sporting pipeline.
Gumel explained that the project, built on a 6.7-hectare parcel of land allocated to the committee in 1990, reflects decades of planning, persistence and renewed collaboration among partners.
“This is more than just a facility; it is a platform for discovering and developing the next generation of Nigerian athletes,” he said. “Grassroots sports remain the foundation of our success. The athletes we groom here today will represent Nigeria on the global stage tomorrow.”
The centre, supported by the Olympafrica Foundation and other partners, is designed to provide structured training opportunities for children and young athletes. It boasts modern indoor halls for karate, taekwondo, wrestling and weightlifting, as well as outdoor courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis.
A football pitch with a running track, male and female changing rooms, and a pavilion further position the complex as a comprehensive training hub.
Gumel also revealed plans for a residential estate on 60 per cent of the land, with integrated sporting facilities aimed at fostering community engagement and participation. According to him, commercialising the centre will ensure it remains active year-round, hosting competitions and supporting daily training programmes.
“We want this facility to be alive every day — training, competitions and community use. That is how to sustain its impact,” he added.
Representing the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, Ahmed Musa praised the initiative, noting that it aligns with broader efforts to build centres of excellence for young athletes across the country.
“Our focus is on early talent discovery,” Musa said. “Facilities like this create the right environment for children, especially those under 16, to train and grow across multiple sports.”
Chief Executive Officer of Olympafrica, Alasanne Diack, urged young Nigerians to seize the opportunity, while also challenging the country to improve its performance on the international stage.
“Nigeria has enormous potential, but we must translate that into medals,” he said. “This centre should mark a turning point.”
The unveiling ceremony attracted a wide array of dignitaries, including sports administrators, traditional rulers, athletes and schoolchildren, who toured the facility and witnessed the symbolic commencement of groundwork for the planned housing estate.
Looking ahead, Gumel expressed confidence that the Olympafrica Centre will evolve into an Olympic-standard hub within the next decade, producing athletes capable of excelling at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, African Games and World Championships.
With its blend of infrastructure, vision and ambition, the centre signals a renewed push to rebuild Nigeria’s sporting dominance starting from the grassroots.
