2024 National Sports Festival: Team FCT Hits 20-medal mark, tops among Northern States 

Team Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has emerged as the highest-placed northern state on the medals table of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) – tagged Gateway Games, Ogun 2024 – as of 6am on Monday, May 26, 2025.

The FCT contingent currently sits in 11th position out of 30 states listed on the official medals table, having won a total of 20 medals — 5 gold, 5 silver, and 10 bronze. This impressive showing places the territory ahead of all other states from Northern Nigeria, including Plateau (12 medals), Kano (9), Niger (8), and Nasarawa (7).

The performance marks a significant improvement for FCT compared to previous editions of the festival, and reflects the growing investment and attention to sports development by the FCT Sports Department, the FCT Football Association, and other local stakeholders — particularly in grassroots talent identification and preparation.

The 22nd National Sports Festival, which began earlier in May in Abeokuta and other parts of Ogun State, is Nigeria’s biggest multi-sport competition, often referred to as the “Nigerian Olympics.” 

The event features athletes from across the 36 states and the FCT competing in over 30 different sports, and serves as a platform to unearth future stars for national and international representation.

So far, Delta State — defending champions and perennial leaders — remain atop the medals chart with 65 gold, 58 silver, and 30 bronze medals, totaling 153. Bayelsa follows in second place with 93 medals, while the host state, Ogun, sits third with 82.

With several finals still to be decided, Team FCT will be hoping to consolidate its position and possibly break into the top 10 before the curtain falls on the festival.