By: Eche Amos
The sports landscape in Nasarawa State has undergone a paradigm shift, many thanks to the indefatigable efforts of His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A Sule, the Executive Governor of the Solid Minerals’ State.
Governor Sule’s uncompromising resolve to engender a culture of excellence in sports has yielded more than remarkable results, culminating in his nomination for the prestigious Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Award, alongside Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), a selected number of Governors, Ministers, critical sports administrators, including Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu; Accountant General, Rt.Hon. Dr. Musa Ahmed Mohammed(Baraden Nasarawa); Salisu Usman Galadima Basira(FA Chairman) and Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo(Chairperson, Nasarawa Amazons FC/Vice Chairperson, Nigeria Women’s Premier League Board), all from Nasarawa State, athletes and technocrats as well as sports journalists who have distinguished themselves in the years under review.
This esteemed recognition of Governor Sule, is a proof to his unrelenting passion for sports development in the State and beyond.
Since assuming office on May 29th, 2019, the Governor Sule-led administration has been a stalwart supporter of Nasarawa United FC and Nasarawa Amazons FC, two of the State’s Premier Football Teams, constantly providing them with financial, material and moral backing that continues to enable them to consistently compete well at the highest levels of inter-club competitions, producing some of the country’s best athletes and coaches.
This relentless support has not only enhanced the teams’ performance but also contributed significantly to the growth and development of football in the State.
Under the Sule administration, the Nasarawa State Government has invested heavily in building and renovating sports facilities, providing athletes with standard infrastructure to train and compete. From state-of-the-art Lafia City Hall(rechristened Lafia Sports Arena), to the Lafia City Stadium, and multi-purpose Youth Centres in Lafia and Akwanga, the modern Lafia Golf Course, among other mini sports complexes, these facilities have become beacons of excellence, engendering a culture of stiff competitions and sportsmanship.
Nasarawa State, under Governor Sule, has hosted numerous statewide, regional and national sports tournaments, seminars and workshops, providing opportunities for athletes and technical officials to compete, learn and grow.
Among some of the notable events hosted in Nasarawa State under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule, in no hierarchical order, include, revamping and sponsoring the defunct Governor’s Cup Football Tournament which was hosted in 2024 among the thirteen Local Government Areas of the State after over thirteen years hiatus; hosted and sponsored the Governor Abdullahi Sule Dart National Championship held in Lafia in 2021; Sponsored the 4th edition of the Gusau/Ahlan Cup Preseason Football Tournament held in Lafia in 2025; hosted and funded the SWAN National Executive Committee meeting in Lafia in 2024; Hosted and funded the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League Pre-season Seminars for Clubs’ Media Directors, Chief Safeguarding Officers and Chairmen of Supporters’ Clubs in Lafia in 2025; Hosted and funded the curtain raiser of the 2022/23 Nigeria Women’s Premier League Season at the Lafia City Stadium; Hosts and funds the Governor AA Sule Inter-Security Agencies’ Unity Cup Football Tournament, which is at its 4th edition now; as well as the annual Nasarawa State Creation/Nigeria’s Independence Day Anniversary Novelty Football match between the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government in the State every October 1st.
The Governor also hosted and funded the 40th edition of the Ramat Cup YSFON Football tournament in Lafia, in 2025, a competition that honours the late Head of State of Nigeria, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed; Nasarawa State hosted and provided financial support to the hosting of the Federal Ministry of Education Sector Games, FEDUGAM, in Lafia, in 2025; the State also hosted Zonal Playoffs of the Nigerian National Football League(NNL), and Nationwide League One(NLO) competitions in Lafia between 2023-2025, just as it hosted and provided financial supports to the North Central Zonal Mohammed D Shaibu Table Tennis Championship held in Lafia, in 2024, and the YSFON U-16 Football Tournament, and the Zumunta Association International Golf Tournament in honour of Governor Abdullahi Sule, held in Lafia in 2025.
These events have not only promoted sports development but also showcased the State’s hospitality and cultural endowment.
The Governor Sule administration has sponsored athletes and officials for refresher trainings and courses, both within and outside the shores of Nigeria, enabling them to acquire new skills, knowledge, and expertise. Mrs. Esther Obile was sponsored by the Nasarawa State Government to attend the International Judo Referees’ Course in Senegal, in 2024, and Emmanuel Haruna for the World Wrestling Refereeing Certification in Hungary in 2025.
This huge investment in human capital has paid dividends, with the State athletes excelling in national and international competitions.
Under the Governor Sule administration, the Nasarawa State Government has worked tirelessly to create a serene and steadily progressive sports atmosphere, creating a culture of peace, unity, and progress. This has led to improved performance, improved participation, and a sense of pride among the athletes, officials and fans alike.
Engr. Sule, the first Northern Nigeria Governor to receive the SWAN SPORTS ICON Award in 2024, prioritizes the welfare of sports men and women, recognizing their achievements and contributions to the State’s development as he constantly rewards hard work, excellence and exceptionalities with financial and moral supports.
Regular engagements between the Governor and sports stakeholders, including athletes, coaches and administrators has ensured that their concerns are addressed, and their voices are heard.
The State’s men’s football club, Nasarawa United, are currently topping the NPFL table with nineteen points, after eight games, and they don’t seem like taking off their foot off the accelerator, as they are determined to make history by winning the league for the very first time in their existence, to ice the cake for the Governor who will be leaving office on 29th May, 2027, which will mark a successful two tenures.
Governor Sule’s nomination for the SWAN DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION/AWARDS and GALA NIGHT slated for between October 29th-30th, 2025, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, is a further proof to his outstanding contributions to sports development in Nasarawa State and beyond.
As all attention will be turned to the historic event in Abuja, the people of Nasarawa State are proud to see Governor Sule being recognized for his stellar achievements in sports development.
Governor Sule’s exceptional and visionary leadership has set a new trajectory for sports development in Nasarawa State. While the State continues to build on this momentum, it is crystal clear that the sports sector will remain a vibrant and dynamic force, producing champions and role models who will inspire future generations.
The entire people of Nasarawa State have every reason to be optimistic about the future of sports in the State, with Governor Abdullahi Sule at the helm of affairs.
Congratulations to the People’s Governor, and all other nominees from the State, and many more successes ahead.
Eche Amos is a Fellow at CBS and he wrote from Nasarawa State.
