The President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Dr Ademola Are, has expressed confidence that the National Grassroots Sports Development Summit 2026 will provide a lasting framework for repositioning sports development in Nigeria.

Are, who is also the Chairman of the summit’s Accommodation and Logistics Sub-Committee, said the gathering would create an opportunity for sports administrators, policymakers and other stakeholders to develop a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents across the country.

The two-day summit is scheduled for November 18 and 19, 2026, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, the event is expected to bring together stakeholders from different sectors of the Nigerian sports industry.

Describing the initiative as historic, Are said it was the first national summit of its kind organised through the office of the presidential aide.

He noted that the event was coming at a time when the National Sports Commission was placing renewed emphasis on grassroots development as a foundation for producing athletes capable of representing Nigeria at major international competitions.

“This summit is coming at a time when the management of the National Sports Commission is preaching grassroots sports development because that is the only way Nigeria can continue producing talents,” Are said.

The rugby federation president explained that a major significance of the summit was its potential to bring together individuals and institutions already contributing to sports development and provide a platform for developing a common national framework.

He cited the National Sports Commission’s Team IJA initiative as an example of how structured grassroots programmes could help identify promising athletes and support their progression.

According to him, some athletes discovered through the National Youth Games and supported under the initiative are already competing against more experienced athletes.

“We have Team IJA athletes identified at the National Youth Games who are already making waves, competing with senior athletes and doing the nation proud,” he said.

Are also referred to the forthcoming intermediate sports festival, noting that several emerging athletes expected to participate had benefited from grassroots competitions.

He said such programmes demonstrated the importance of creating consistent opportunities for young athletes to develop their abilities through organised competitions and support systems.

The federation president commended Adeboye for championing the summit, describing the initiative as an important step towards strengthening the foundation of Nigerian sports.

He expressed optimism that the recommendations and policy document expected to emerge from the gathering would provide direction for future grassroots sports programmes.

“Bringing together notable individuals from across the country who are contributing effectively to grassroots sports development is a step in the right direction. I can assure you that the document that will eventually be prepared and adopted will go a long way in repositioning grassroots sports development in Nigeria,” Are said.

The summit is themed “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development” and will focus on five major pillars: Participation, Talent Development, Infrastructure, Sports Economy and International Pathways.

The organisers intend to use discussions around these areas to develop practical recommendations for strengthening sports participation, improving talent identification, expanding access to facilities and creating sustainable opportunities for athletes.

The summit is also expected to examine ways of connecting grassroots competitions with structured development programmes and pathways that can help young athletes progress to national and international levels.

With sports administrators and other stakeholders expected to participate, the gathering is being positioned as a platform for discussing long-term strategies for developing Nigeria’s sporting talent.

Its proposed impact, however, will depend on how the recommendations are translated into practical programmes, sustained investment and opportunities for athletes across the country.