Tinubu's SSA Adeboye Advocates for Grassroots Sports Growth

Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, has called for a coordinated national framework to identify and nurture sporting talents across Nigeria's 774 local government areas. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the National Grassroots Sports Summit 2026, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall, State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Adeboye emphasized the need for a system that ensures every Nigerian child has access to organized sporting opportunities, regardless of their background.

He stated that Nigeria must move away from chance talent discovery and establish structures to support promising athletes from an early age. The summit aims to gather various stakeholders to develop a roadmap for grassroots sports development, focusing on participation, talent development, infrastructure, sports economy, and international pathways.

Adeboye highlighted the importance of creating opportunities not just for athletes but also for coaches, referees, and other sports-related professionals.