Niger Delta Games : Edo Dethrones Bayelsa, As Games Ends In Grand Style
It was a fusion of sports and culture Thursday, February, 26, 2026 as the 2nd edition of the annual Niger Delta Games came to a successful conclusion at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
The elaborate and colourful closing ceremony brought out the best in Edo cultural display, music and dance to the delight of athletes, coaches and fans who commended the state government and organisers of the Games for a hitch free tournament.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo who was represented by his deputy Dennis Idahosa commended all the athletes for their peaceful conduct throughout the duration of the weeklong tournament, expressing happiness that new athletes were discovered at the Games.
He was also grateful to NDDC and Dunamis Icon Limited for the wonderful initiative which has helped in driving sports development in the Niger Delta region; saying that his government is proud to be associated with the Games.
“As this Games is coming to an end today, I must commend NDDC for sponsoring it and Dunamis Icon Limited for coming up with this wonderful initiative which has led to the discovery of hidden talents in the Niger Delta region.
The governor promised that his government will continue to champion policies that will help in sports development in the state even as he expressed confidence that some of the athletes will become future champions both nationally and internationally.
Director General of National Sports Commission Bukola Olopade charged other regions and corporate organizations to emulate Niger Delta and come up with similar Games that will lead to the discovery of talented athletes in all the states of the Federation.
He said that the Commission will continue to support the Games as it has shown that such Games is necessary for athletes hunt in the country.
In his own remarks, Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku expressed happiness that the Games is achieving it’s objectives with a promise that they will continue to sponsor it.
He charged the winners to be magnanimous in victory and the losers not to lose hope as the Games is not about winning but for talent discovery.
Dr. Ogbuku also commended the Edo State government for putting up a seamless tournament noting that they are proud of the state
Meanwhile at the end of hostilities, host Edo State was crowned winners of the championship with 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze medals bringing their overall medal haul to 111.
Delta State retained their second position from the inaugural edition with 39 gold, 29 silver and 34 bronze medals for a total of 102 medals, while last year’s winners, Bayelsa State came a distant third with 25 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze, bringing their total medals to 75.
Akwa Ibom placed fourth with a total of 55 medals, comprising of 16 gold, 17 silver and 22 bronze.
Abia finished fifth with 45 medals, made up of 9 gold, 20 silver and 17 bronze. Cross River placed sixth with 38 medals comprising of 9 gold 7 silver and 22 bronze. Ondo placed seventh with 34 medals, made up of 7 gold, 13 silver and 14 bronze.
Rivers finished in eighth place with 6 gold, 16 silver and 24 bronze, for a total 46 medals, while Imo completed the table in ninth place with 5 gold, 8 silver and 18 bronze medals, a total of 31.
The week-long event which brought together over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states, was organized by Dunamis Icon Limited and sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
It featured 16 sports and served as a platform for discovery, harnessing of talents, healthy competition and regional unity through sports.
