In a vibrant celebration of athletic excellence, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun announced a ₦2.5 million cash reward for each gold medalist from the state who competed at the 2024 National Sports Festival, held in Abuja from November 2 to 13.
The pledge, made during a reception ceremony in Abeokuta on May 15, 2025, honored the state’s athletes who secured 54 medals, including 23 gold, 14 silver, and 17 bronze, placing Ogun second overall in the national competition. The gesture underscored the state’s commitment to nurturing talent and boosting sports development.
The National Sports Festival, Nigeria’s premier multi-sport event, saw Ogun’s contingent of 187 athletes compete across 32 sports, ranging from athletics to wrestling. The state’s standout performances included dominating the wrestling events, where they won eight gold medals, and excelling in para-athletics, securing five gold medals for athletes with disabilities.
Notable individual achievements included 16-year-old sprinter Temitope Adeshina, who won three gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, and wrestler Esther Olanrewaju, who claimed two golds in her weight class. The state’s boxing team also shone, earning three gold medals in fiercely contested bouts.
Governor Abiodun, addressing the athletes at the MKO Abiola Stadium, praised their discipline and resilience, noting that their success had elevated Ogun’s reputation as a sports powerhouse. He announced that the ₦2.5 million reward per gold medalist would be disbursed within a week, with silver and bronze medalists receiving ₦1.5 million and ₦1 million, respectively. Coaches and support staff were also promised bonuses, with amounts to be finalized later. The governor revealed plans to upgrade the state’s sports facilities, including renovating the Ijebu-Ode Stadium and establishing a sports academy to train young talent year-round.
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