In every village across Kebbi State, children run barefoot across dusty fields, chasing makeshift footballs wrapped in nylon. Others gather by the riverbanks to wrestle, paddle canoes, or imitate their sporting heroes with nothing but hope and imagination. These young people are more than just players in casual games—they are the future of Kebbi, waiting for someone to believe in them, to give structure to their passion, and to turn talent into opportunity.
That is why Kebbi State needs a bold step forward: the Kebbi State Sports Summit 2025.
A dream bigger than sports
Sports are more than entertainment. For the boy in Argungu who dreams of wrestling on the world stage, or the girl in Zuru who believes she can sprint her way to greatness, sports are a lifeline. They are a chance at education, employment, dignity, and belonging. They keep young people away from crime and drugs, and they unite communities that might otherwise be divided by ethnicity, religion, or politics.
Across Nigeria, sports have lifted countless youths out of poverty, given them global recognition, and inspired entire communities. Why should Kebbi’s youth be left behind when they too have talent, energy, and the will to shine?
Why Kebbi must lead now
We know that over 60% of Kebbi’s population is under 30. These young people are eager for opportunities, yet many face unemployment and frustration. Sports can be one of the strongest tools to engage them productively.
Other states have shown us what’s possible. Lagos has produced world-class athletes. Delta has used sports to grow tourism. Edo has redefined itself through sporting events. Kebbi, with its cultural heritage—the Argungu Fishing Festival, traditional wrestling, and canoe racing—already has a natural foundation to build upon.
The missing piece is a unifying platform, and that is what the Sports Summit offers.
What the summit will do
The Kebbi State Sports Summit will bring together policymakers, coaches, private investors, civil society, athletes, and the media under one roof. It will create a roadmap that answers three vital questions:
- How do we nurture the raw talent in our villages and schools?
- How do we create jobs and businesses through sports—coaching, physiotherapy, media, event management, tourism?
- How do we ensure every child, boy or girl, rural or urban, has a chance to participate?
At the end of the summit, Kebbi will have a set of practical steps—not just promises—towards grassroots talent development, youth engagement, job creation, and sports tourism.
More than policy, a legacy
This is not about politics. This is about legacy. Imagine, ten years from now, young athletes saying: “My journey started because Kebbi State believed in us.” Imagine our state becoming the home of national sports festivals, regional tournaments, and international visitors who come not only for Argungu but for our rising stars.
Sports can give Kebbi’s youth pride, purpose, and livelihoods. It can unite our communities and showcase Kebbi to the world.
A call to Kebbi state government
The future of sports in Kebbi cannot wait. We call on the Kebbi State Government to endorse and champion the Kebbi State Sports Summit 2025 as a flagship initiative. With government leadership, the summit will not only spark hope but also deliver action that changes lives.
This is an opportunity to show that Kebbi invests in its young people, values their dreams, and sees sports not as play, but as a bridge to empowerment, peace, and prosperity.
Conclusion
When a child in Birnin Kebbi kicks a ball, when youths in Yauri row their canoes, when girls in Jega run barefoot across dusty fields—they are not just playing. They are telling us they have potential. The question is: will Kebbi State listen?
The Sports Summit is the answer. It is time to transform passion into opportunity, and opportunity into a brighter future. Let Kebbi be remembered as the state that gave its youth a chance—not just to play, but to thrive.
