Lagos State has etched its name in history after Team Lagos emerged overall winners of the 9th National Youth Games (NYG) held in Asaba, Delta State, marking the first time the state has claimed the title since the inception of the U-15 championship in 2013.
Team Lagos secured 51 gold, 31 silver, and 24 bronze medals, making a total of 106 medals, to dethrone perennial winners and defending champions, Team Delta, who had dominated the Games since inception. Delta finished second with 37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze, while Edo State came third with 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze.
The Lagos contingent showcased excellence across multiple sports, including swimming, gymnastics, cycling, boxing, athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, chess, and wushu-kungfu, underscoring the depth of young talent within the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reflecting on the triumph, described it as one of the proudest moments of his administration and a reminder of Lagos’ resilience and pioneering spirit.
“I am immensely proud of Team Lagos for their outstanding performance at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where they finished first on the medals table. This victory, for me, is deeply personal and symbolic. Growing up in Lagos, I witnessed how sports gave young people hope, discipline, and a sense of belonging. To now see our young athletes conquer the National Youth Games for the very first time is a dream fulfilled—not just for me as governor, but for millions of Lagosians who believe in the Lagos spirit.
“This is more than a collection of gold, silver, and bronze medals; it is a story of preparation meeting opportunity, of quiet investments yielding fruits, and of a state that never stops striving for excellence. For years, we laid the foundation—building infrastructure, supporting coaches, and nurturing raw talent. Today, the results are here for all to see.
“Our young athletes have shown Nigeria that Lagos is not just the Centre of Excellence in name, but in practice. Their courage reminds us that no history is permanent, and that even long-standing champions can be dethroned when vision, hard work, and determination come together. I salute our athletes, coaches, and officials for rewriting the story of the National Youth Games,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor further announced plans to host the victorious athletes, noting that their story will inspire a new generation of sports stars across Lagos communities.
Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Hon. Lekan Fatodu, described the triumph as a defining moment for Lagos sports.
“Team Lagos has made history by winning the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, claiming the overall title for the first time since the inception of the U-15 Championship in 2013,” Fatodu said. “We have regained our status as the powerhouse of developmental sports in Nigeria. This victory is a clear demonstration of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s vision and commitment to sports development through infrastructure, scouting, and nurturing of young talents.”
The historic win not only reaffirms Lagos State’s place as Nigeria’s sporting epicentre but also signals a new era in youth sports, as the state overtakes its long-standing rivals to cement its reputation as the engine room of the nation’s athletic excellence
