NSC pledges support for power sector workers’ maiden NESI Games

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has pledged full government backing for the maiden Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry Games, describing the initiative as a strategic platform to deepen cohesion within the power sector and stimulate the sports economy.

Dikko made the pledge in a statement issued on Sunday following a courtesy visit by the management of the NESI Platform, organisers of the NESI Week 2026, which will feature sporting activities for workers and stakeholders across the electricity value chain.

According to the statement, the Commission is ready to provide technical and institutional backing for the games scheduled for November 15 to 20, 2026, in Abuja, bringing together generation companies, distribution companies, transmission operators, regulators, government agencies and other stakeholders under one platform.

He said the sector more commonly associated with megawatts, tariffs and grid collapses, Nigeria’s electricity industry is now turning to sports as a tool for unity, productivity and economic growth.

Speaking during the meeting, Dikko said the initiative aligned with the government’s agenda to expand the sports economy while promoting collaboration and productivity in critical sectors.

He said, “Our mandate here is to work for every sport, for every organisation, and to provide the enabling environment for every sport to prosper, whether it is grassroots sports, community sports, or organisational sports like the one you are trying to do.

“If we talk about harnessing the potential of the sports economy, it is not just about elite athletes. It is across all facets of the economy, top to bottom. What you are about to do, from the zonal qualifiers to the state levels and then the finals, will have a measurable economic impact.”

Drawing parallels with the long-running oil and gas industry games, Dikko noted that while the Oil and Gas Games are now in their 48th year, the electricity sector was only just beginning its own tradition.

“The one we concluded last weekend was the Oil and Gas Games, and they have been doing it for decades. You are starting something new. Small steps will lead to something big. This maiden edition will require technical support, experience and coordination, and we are here to give you that support,” he said.

Beyond recreation, Dikko argued that sports could foster peer review and collaboration within an industry often criticised for inefficiencies.

This addition of sports will bring your people together. You will compare what other operators are doing in the industry and see how you can support yourselves to do your core business better, which is getting electricity across the country,” he said.

The NSC chairman urged electricity companies to embed community sports infrastructure into their operations, particularly in areas hosting substations, power plants and transmission facilities.

“You should not just do the games and stop there. Think about legacy. Within the areas where you operate, look at supporting grassroots sports. If there is an open space, build a small basketball court, a football pitch, or a tennis court,” he said.

“If you do that, you are not just creating future stars. You are enhancing security. The young people around those facilities will channel their energy into positive engagement instead of negative activities.”

According to him, investing in grassroots sports within host communities could help protect critical national infrastructure by strengthening community relations and youth engagement.

Earlier, the Chairman of the NESI Platform and head of the steering committee for NESI Week 2026, Obiora Anthony, described the games as a landmark initiative for the power sector.

“NESI Games 2026 is the first nationally structured sporting event for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. This industry comprises generation companies, distribution companies, the transmission operator, regulators, energy agencies, investors and even consumers. It is a large value chain,” he said.

He explained that the games would promote workforce wellness, leadership development and cross-sector collaboration, aligning with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on growing the sports economy.

“This event will give an opportunity for workforce wellness, leadership development and national sports development. It is structured in phases, regional qualifiers, quarter-finals in October, and the national finals in November 2026 here in Abuja. We hope to host the finals at the National Stadium,” Anthony said.

He added that the sporting fiesta would be embedded within NESI Week 2026, a broader convening platform that brings together policymakers, regulators, operators and private sector leaders in the energy ecosystem.

Culled from punch