Team Edo emerged overall champions of the 2026 Niger Delta Games after a commanding performance at the grand finale held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
The second edition of the regional sports festival drew more than three thousand athletes from the nine oil producing states of the Niger Delta. The closing ceremony blended competition with culture, as packed stands, marching bands and colourful displays framed a week of intense contests across multiple disciplines.
Host state Edo topped the medals table with 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze medals, bringing its total to 111. Delta followed in second place with 39 gold, 29 silver and 34 bronze medals for a total of 102. Bayelsa, winners of the maiden edition in Uyo last year, finished third with 25 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze medals, amassing 101 medals. Akwa Ibom, Abia, Cross River, Ondo, Rivers and Imo placed fourth to ninth respectively.
In individual events, Ondo dominated football, Delta asserted strength in track and field, Edo excelled in swimming, Akwa Ibom impressed in weightlifting, while Bayelsa swept major honours in taekwondo.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described the festival as a landmark moment for youth development in the region. He said the Games reflect unity, talent and sportsmanship, and urged athletes to remain disciplined, refine their skills and build on their natural abilities for continental and global recognition.
Read Also;
- Okey Bakassi headlines Cultural Expo Night at 2nd Niger Delta Games in Edo
- Bayelsa clinches 5 gold medals on Day 4 of 2nd Niger Delta Games
- Ikpokpo insists on strict athlete eligibility, local talent for 2nd Niger Delta Games
Ogbuku stressed that beyond medals, the broader aim is to use sport as a tool to empower young people, promote order and reduce unemployment across the Niger Delta. He commended the Edo State Government for hosting what he called a memorable edition of the Games.
The festival, sponsored by the NDDC and organised by Dunamis Icon Limited, extended beyond sporting contests. At the Cultural Expo Night headlined by comedian Okey Bakassi, Ondo State won the dance competition and claimed a N1 million prize, which was later doubled by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade.
Chairman of the Edo State Sports Council, Amadin Enabulele, praised the athletes for finishing first and expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo for supporting the team’s preparations. He described the triumph as a proud moment for the state.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included NDDC Chairman Boma Iyaye and other senior officials, alongside representatives of the Edo State Government.
With Edo’s victory and renewed calls for sustained excellence, the 2026 Niger Delta Games have reinforced the region’s growing reputation as a hub for grassroots sports development and youth empowerment.
