SSA Adeboye lauds Nationwide Buy-In as Naija5Fest unveiling concludes with all 36 states on board

SSA Adeboye lauds Nationwide Buy-In as Naija5Fest unveiling concludes with all 36 states on board

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the Naija5Fest unveiling press conference, which confirmed the participation of all 36 states of the federation in the landmark youth football competition.

The unveiling event was held on Thursday, 19 February, at Adidas, Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, and marked a major step toward the rollout of the national 5-aside football tournament aimed at promoting peace, unity, and youth development through sports.

Speaking after the event, Adeboye described the full nationwide commitment as a strong endorsement of grassroots football and a clear signal that Nigerian youths are ready to embrace structured sporting opportunities.

“The presence and readiness of all 36 states is a powerful statement. It shows that grassroots football remains the heartbeat of sports development in Nigeria. Naija5Fest represents inclusion, opportunity and hope for our youths at the community level,” the SSA said.

Adeboye noted that the choice of a compact, fast-paced five-aside football format makes the competition accessible to more young people, particularly those in urban and semi-urban communities, while encouraging teamwork, discipline and creativity.

He reaffirmed that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises youth engagement, talent discovery and the use of sports as a tool for social cohesion and national development.

“From the grassroots, we are building pathways that allow our youths to grow, express themselves positively and contribute meaningfully to society.

This is how lasting sports development begins,” he added.

The SSA also commended the organisers and partners for successfully hosting the unveiling and setting a clear direction for the competition’s implementation across the states.

With the Lagos unveiling concluded, attention now shifts to state-level preparations, where thousands of young footballers are expected to participate, positioning Naija5Fest as one of the most inclusive and impactful youth football initiatives in Nigeria’s recent history.