Lagos Clinches 1st Ever National Youth Games Title, Dethroning Delta

In a historic breakthrough at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Lagos State has clinched the overall championship title for the first time since the inception of the U-15 event in 2013. This landmark victory puts Lagos on top of Nigeria’s youth sports landscape, ending the long-standing dominance of perennial champions, Team Delta.

Team Lagos finished with an impressive medal haul of 51 gold, 31 silver, and 24 bronze medals, surpassing Edo State, which secured 33 gold, 16 silver, and 27 bronze. Delta State, the defending champion since the Games began, settled for third with 32 gold, 36 silver, and 39 bronze medals. This stunning upset reshapes the narrative of youth sports development in Nigeria.

Athletes from Lagos showcased exceptional prowess across a wide range of sports including swimming, gymnastics, cycling, boxing, athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, chess, and wushu-kungfu. Notable highlights included Team Lagos’ dominant swimming performance with 19 gold medals and their gymnastics star, 14-year-old Stephanie Ogechukwu Onusiriuka, who won multiple golds and the title of Best All-Round Gymnast in Nigeria at the event.

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Hon. Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, attributed the triumph to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development. He highlighted the state’s strategic investments in sports infrastructure, talent scouting, and nurturing young athletes as key factors behind Lagos reclaiming its status as the powerhouse of sporting excellence in Nigeria.

Fatodu remarked, “This victory is a clear manifestation of our dedicated efforts to develop youth sports in Lagos. It gives testimony to the Governor’s vision to make Lagos the epicenter of sports talent and innovation in the country.”

The win not only marks Lagos’ rise to the top but also strengthens its position as Nigeria’s engine room for sporting excellence and youth athletic development. With this historic success, Lagos is poised to host the 2026 National Youth Games, promising an even bigger and more spectacular competition fueled by the state’s robust sports ecosystem.

This victory by Team Lagos signals a new era in Nigerian youth sports, inspiring a fresh generation of athletes and confirming Lagos State’s leading role in the nation’s athletic future.

This story is further enriched by testimonies of high spirits and competitive flair observed during the Games, and the growing enthusiasm among youths aspiring to shine on national and international stages.

The 9th National Youth Games in Asaba have undoubtedly spotlighted Nigeria’s emerging sports stars and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to developing its young talents through competitive sports.