The Niger State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has formally presented its bid to host the 24th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) to Governor Umaru Bago.

The bid document was submitted during the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the Government House in Minna. Leading the presentation was the Commissioner for Sports, Yahaya Ibrahim Gulbin Boka, accompanied by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Nuhu Garba Ngaski.

As part of the presentation, Governor Bago also received samples of newly designed tracksuits for the state’s athletes, part of early preparations for the event, scheduled to begin on December 28, 2028.

The National Sports Festival, held biennially, brings together athletes from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to compete in a wide range of sports.

Niger State is vying for hosting rights alongside Kano, Bayelsa, Plateau, and Kaduna. Of the contenders, only Kaduna has hosted the event before, first in 1977 (Kaduna '77) and again in 2009.

Kaduna and Bauchi are among the four northern states to have hosted the NSF in its history. The others include Kwara and Benue. The first two editions were held in Lagos (1973 and 1975).

Ogun State hosted the 22nd edition, while Enugu is set to host the 23rd edition in 2026.