Ado Salisu
No fewer than 12 Federal Ministries, 64 federal agencies and departments, as well as the 36 states’ Ministries of Sports and Tourism, are preparing to participate in the maiden edition of the National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition (NASTOCE 2026), scheduled to hold in Abuja.
The two-day event is slated for March 30 and 31, 2026, at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotel and is expected to bring together key stakeholders to explore the socio-economic potential of sports tourism in Nigeria.
Convener of the conference and Chairman of the National Organising Committee, Ahmed Mohammed Sule, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.
He described the level of interest shown by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at both federal and state levels as encouraging, noting that it reflects growing recognition of the importance of sports tourism in national development.
“It is heartwarming to note the enthusiasm with which MDAs at both federal and state levels have expressed willingness to participate in this first-ever national conference on sports tourism development in Nigeria,” Sule said.
According to him, several federal ministries and their agencies have formally indicated interest in the conference, which aims to discuss the future prospects of sports tourism and its role in driving socio-economic growth.
He explained that sports tourism is a multi-sectoral industry involving several government institutions with critical roles. For instance, the Ministry of Interior oversees agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service, which facilitates international travel through passport and visa processing, while the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Fire Service ensure safety and protection at public venues and tourism facilities.
Sule also highlighted the role of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in advancing the sports tourism industry through digital and technological innovations aligned with global standards.
He noted that state governments are expected to adopt policies and initiatives that will promote sports tourism events, emphasizing its potential to create jobs, empower youths, and generate revenue.
The conference, with the theme “Leveraging the Intersection of Multi-Sectoral MDAs to Promote Sports Tourism in Nigeria,” will focus on strengthening collaboration between sports, tourism, and related sectors to unlock economic opportunities.
A major feature of the event will be an exhibition showcasing products and services in the sports, tourism, travel, and hospitality industries. The exhibition is expected to provide strategic marketing opportunities and enable participants to gain insights into emerging policies, investment prospects, and projects within the sports tourism ecosystem.
Organisers say the conference will position government institutions and industry stakeholders to take advantage of opportunities in the rapidly growing sports tourism sector while contributing to national economic development.