The inaugural edition of the National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026, originally scheduled to be held in Lagos from October 1 to 15, 2026, has been postponed to the first quarter of 2027.
The National Sports Commission NSC announced the postponement after a comprehensive review of preparations for the maiden edition of the national sporting event.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, signed by Kola Daniel, Special Adviser on Media in the Office of the Director General of the National Sports Commission, the decision followed a review conducted by the Local Organising Committee LOC, the NSC and an independent Quality Control and Assurance Specialist.
The review was conducted after the Joint Technical Meeting held from September 3 to 6, 2026, where various aspects of the Games were assessed.
The assessment covered proposed sporting facilities, events, technical requirements, rules and regulations, as well as other critical operational areas required for the successful hosting of the Games.
While the assessment established that the Games could technically proceed as scheduled, the stakeholders concluded that the remaining timeframe might not be sufficient to deliver the inaugural edition to the desired world-class standard expected of an event of national significance.
The postponement, the NSC explained, is aimed at safeguarding the quality, credibility and long-term success of the National Intermediate Games, while also establishing an operational benchmark for subsequent editions.
Lagos State, which is the host of the inaugural Games, has reaffirmed its commitment to hosting the competition and will continue preparations in collaboration with the National Sports Commission and other relevant stakeholders pending the finalisation of a new date by the Local Organising Committee.
Despite the postponement, the National Sports Commission said it would continue with programmes relating to the Games as earlier scheduled.
These include accreditation, zonal elimination for team sports and other technical and operational activities within the immediate purview of the Commission.
The National Intermediate Games are expected to provide a major platform for discovering, developing and exposing emerging sporting talents across Nigeria, while strengthening the country’s grassroots sports development structure.
The new date for the Games will be announced by the Local Organising Committee after further consultations and the completion of necessary preparations.
