By Olamide Abe
The Nigeria Olympic Committee has announced June 27, 2026, as the date for this year’s Olympic Day celebration, with plans underway to stage a nationwide event promoting physical activity and social inclusion under the global auspices of Olympic Solidarity, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The committee explained in a statement on Tuesday that the annual initiative would provide a platform to encourage Nigerians of all ages to embrace core Olympic ideals, while also highlighting the importance of regular exercise in daily life.
“This annual event serves as a premier global platform to champion the benefits of physical activity, offering Nigerians of all ages the opportunity to embrace the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect,” the statement read.
The NOC further stressed that simple activities such as jogging and walking remain effective ways to improve overall health, noting that they help to burn calories, strengthen muscles and ease mental stress.
Chairman of the Sport-For-All Commission, Abdul Ibrahim, reinforced the focus of the 2026 campaign, explaining that it is designed to promote inclusivity and shared participation.
He emphasised that engaging in physical activity alongside others improves motivation and social connection, urging participants to bring new people into the movement.
He said the campaign encourages collective participation and added that “exercising is far more impactful when shared,” while calling on individuals to invite others to join them in staying active.
Following what the committee described as record-breaking participation in 2025, it confirmed that invitation letters have been sent to all states of the federation, urging state sports councils to commence early preparations to ensure widespread reach.
The statement noted that organisers are targeting nationwide engagement “to ensure a high-impact event that reaches every nook and corner of the country.”
President of the NOC, Habu Gumel, also outlined a broader social objective for this year’s celebration, stating that the initiative aims to strengthen relationships across age groups through sport.
He highlighted that the goal is to connect younger and older generations through shared physical activity, noting that “this year’s goal is to bridge generational gaps by using physical activity to foster meaningful connections between youth and older people.”
