Athletes Protest: How Ogun State Government responded to National Sports Festival Embarassment

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As earlier reported by SportsRations’ correspondent Nsikakabasi Akpan, the ongoing protest by Ogun State athletes at the 22nd National Sports Festival has entered a tense new phase this morning. Athletes representing the host state have refused to vacate the gates of the Games Village, located on the Babcock University campus, in protest over unpaid allowances. Despite the arrival of the Assistant Ogun State Commissioner of Police, ACP Alabi Akintoye who attempted to persuade the athletes to disperse and allow access for other teams, the athletes remain defiant. Chanting loudly and in unison, they declared: “We no go gree o” “We want all our money” “No gree for anybody” “Let the Governor or Commissioner for Sports come and talk to us or send our allowances.” The protest has effectively brought the National Sports Festival to a standstill, as no team is being allowed to enter or exit the Games Village. Events scheduled for this morning have been disrupted. As of 9:30am on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Security has been significantly beefed up at the Babcock University campus, the hub of this year’s National Sports Festival. The Ogun State Commissioner of Police is now leading a heavy security contingent at the scene. However, their presence has not swayed the protesting athletes, who continue to block access points and insist on full payment of their allowances before any movement can resume. SportsRation is on ground and can exclusively confirm that all Festival proceedings are currently paused pending resolution of the standoff.

The Ogun State Government has started paying athletes their allowances after a protest disrupted events at the National Sports Festival.

Earlier today as earlier reported by SportsRation, some athletes representing Ogun State protested at the Games Village in Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, because they had not received their allowances. The protest caused a delay in games, as buses could not leave the village and athletes missed their events at other venues, including the MKO Abiola Sports Arena and Alake Sports Centre.

Officials from the festival had asked the athletes to remain peaceful and take their complaints to the appropriate authorities. However, the athletes refused to move until someone from the state government addressed their concerns or payments were made.

Following the disruption, the state government responded swiftly. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, said that Governor Dapo Abiodun had already approved and arranged the payments. He described the protest as unnecessary and said it happened because of impatience.

“Governor Dapo Abiodun truly cares about the athletes and will not allow them to suffer,” Akinmade said. “The protest was unfortunate, especially considering how successful the festival has been so far. Allowance payments have now started, and many athletes have already received alerts.”

Governor Abiodun had earlier promised cash rewards of ₦2.5 million for gold medal winners, ₦1.5 million for silver, and ₦1 million for bronze.

The state government assured all participants that their welfare remains a top priority and urged athletes to remain calm and focused as the Gateway Games 2024 continues.

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