Ogun Governor Approves ₦450 Million Rewards for National Sports Festival Medalists
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has authorised cash rewards exceeding ₦450 million for athletes and officials of Team Ogun, recognising their outstanding performance at the recently concluded National Sports Festival.
The announcement was made on Monday in Abeokuta during a ceremony celebrating the medalists, as the state achieved its best-ever result, finishing second overall with 239 medals.
Abiodun described the achievement as a reflection of steady progress in sports development across Ogun State, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to acknowledging excellence.
He confirmed that all training and participation allowances, as well as contractual fees owed to athletes and officials, have been fully settled.
In addition to immediate cash rewards, including ₦50,000 for every qualified athlete and instant bonuses for medal winners before the festival’s closing ceremony, the governor unveiled a historic reward package: ₦2.5 million each for 93 gold medalists, ₦1.5 million each for 61 silver medalists, and ₦1 million each for 81 bronze medalists. Additional provisions were approved for team sport athletes to recognise their collective contributions.
Abiodun also approved special financial support for technical officials, allocating ₦10 million for coaches through the Director of Coaching and ₦14.8 million for other officials via the Director of Administration and Supply. He praised the officials’ discipline, mentorship, and professionalism, highlighting their critical role in Team Ogun’s success.
The governor underscored the transformation of the state’s sports sector, citing improved infrastructure, the hosting of international competitions, and increased use of facilities by national teams and leagues.
He encouraged aspiring athletes to participate in open trials and development programmes ahead of the next festival in Enugu.
This latest approval follows earlier protests by some athletes during the state’s 50th anniversary, when they claimed that promised rewards from the previous festival had not been paid. Governor Abiodun’s intervention now ensures that athletes, coaches and officials are duly compensated, reinforcing the state’s continued investment in sports development.
