Deaf athletes in Nigeria have protested their exclusion from the 2026 National Sports Festival, calling on sports authorities to give them equal opportunities to compete alongside other athletes.

The protest took place on Monday at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, where the athletes expressed disappointment over the omission of Deaf sports from the compulsory events scheduled for the festival. Similar demonstrations were also reported in Benin City, Edo State. citeturn194026search0turn194026search1

Athletes Demand Equal Treatment

Led by national deaf sports captain Badmus Nurudeen, the protesters questioned why Deaf sports had been excluded while events for able-bodied athletes and para-athletes remained on the festival programme.

The athletes said they had spent months preparing for the competition and were concerned that their exclusion would undermine their efforts, limit their opportunities and affect their sporting careers.

Emmanuel Audu, an assistant technical director of the Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation, described the exclusion as a recurring setback for Deaf athletes.

He argued that sports provide many athletes with opportunities to earn a living, support their families and develop their talents.

Tinubu’s Aide Promises Intervention

During the Lagos protest, Adeyinka Adeboye, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, pledged to take the athletes’ concerns to the relevant sports authorities.

According to The PUNCH, Adeboye promised to engage the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, and the President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Sunday Odebode, over the dispute.

A meeting with representatives of the Deaf sports community was proposed for Thursday, October 22, at the National Stadium in Lagos. However, no final resolution had been confirmed in the report. citeturn194026search0

National Sports Festival Approaches

The 2026 National Sports Festival, known as the Coal City Games, is scheduled to take place in Enugu State from November 27 to December 11.

With preparations for the competition underway, Deaf sports stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention to ensure their athletes receive a fair opportunity to participate.

The dispute has renewed questions about inclusion, equal treatment and the support available to athletes with disabilities in Nigeria.

Utelnova will continue to follow developments as sports authorities respond to the athletes’ demands.