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“Africa Must Own Its Sporting Wealth” — Jide-Ojo Olusola Challenges Leaders at YORA Summit 2026
Sports247 Chief Executive Officer, Jide-Ojo Olusola, has called on African nations to build sustainable sports businesses capable of retaining talent, attracting investment and generating wealth, insisting that the continent must move beyond producing outstanding athletes to owning the commercial opportunities their success creates.
Speaking during the sports development and creative economy discussions at the Year of Return Africa (YORA) Summit & Expo 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, Jide-Ojo said Africa’s biggest sporting challenge was not a shortage of talent but the absence of strong structures to develop, promote and commercialise its sporting assets.
Jide-Ojo, who also serves as Media Aide to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka, emphasised the need for stronger domestic leagues and viable professional opportunities for African athletes.
“Africa must own it because we have it,” he declared, urging governments, investors and sports administrators to take greater responsibility for developing the continent’s sporting economy.
Drawing from over three decades of experience in the sports industry, Jide-Ojo explained that sports must be recognised beyond entertainment, recreation and physical fitness as a major economic sector capable of creating employment and attracting substantial investment.
He argued that African sports could achieve commercial success comparable to the continent’s music and film industries if stakeholders deliberately invested in professional competitions, broadcasting rights, sponsorship and digital platforms.
The Sports247 CEO also stressed the importance of creating competitive domestic leagues that would encourage athletes to build successful careers at home rather than depend entirely on opportunities abroad.
Highlighting emerging sporting properties, he cited Nigeria’s Showtime Flag Football as an example of how developing sports can create opportunities for athletes, sponsors, media organisations and entrepreneurs when supported by sustainable business structures.
Jide-Ojo further identified storytelling as a powerful instrument for transforming African sports into commercially attractive products.
He explained that compelling stories about athletes’ backgrounds, struggles, achievements and ambitions could build emotional connections with fans, increase stadium attendance and attract corporate sponsorship.
Using global football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as examples, he noted that consistent media exposure plays an important role in developing athletes’ public profiles and commercial appeal.
He consequently challenged African sports journalists and broadcasters to devote greater attention to grassroots competitions, emerging athletes and lesser-known sporting disciplines instead of focusing almost exclusively on established international stars.
Jide-Ojo also referenced projections suggesting that Africa’s sports business market could reach $20 billion by 2032 or 2033, although the estimate was not independently verified.
He maintained that the continent must establish stronger partnerships among governments, private investors, sports administrators and media organisations to unlock the economic opportunities within its sporting ecosystem.
His presentation reinforced YORA Summit 2026’s emphasis on African ownership, entrepreneurship and sustainable investment, with a clear message that the continent must not only develop sporting talent but also build the businesses that benefit from it.
Details have emerged following the meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and prominent Middle Belt leaders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
The leaders, who visited the President at the State House, reaffirmed their support for his administration and discussed issues affecting the Middle Belt region, particularly insecurity, national development, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Among those present at the meeting were the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi; and Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas.
Others included businessman Thomas Etuh and Dr Poju Bitrus.
During the meeting, the Middle Belt leaders expressed support for Tinubu’s administration, particularly its efforts to address insecurity and promote development across the country.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, acknowledged improvements in the security situation, while emphasising the need for sustained efforts to tackle the challenges facing communities in the region.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang also highlighted efforts to rebuild trust among communities and strengthen peaceful coexistence between people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
The meeting comes amid persistent security concerns in parts of the Middle Belt, particularly Plateau, Benue and other states that have witnessed recurring attacks, communal violence and displacement of residents.
The leaders’ visit also comes at a politically significant time, with political parties and their supporters beginning to intensify activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting is also taking place against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s planned visits to Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, where he is expected to commission projects and participate in political rallies.
As earlier reported by POLITICS NIGERIA, the Presidency announced that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Friday, November 6, for a two-state visit, beginning with Akwa Ibom before proceeding to Rivers State on Saturday.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu will arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to commission several projects completed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
The projects include the new International Terminal Building, International Airport Hospital and Ibom Aviation Village, all located at the Victor Attah International Airport.
Others are the Airport-Okopedi Road, which connects communities in Nsit Atai and Okobo Local Government Areas, and Ring Road 3, linking Idoro Road to Ikot Ekpene Road through Uyo and Ibiono Ibom.
The President is also expected to commission the AKWA-GIS Office Complex, the Command and Control Centre and the ARISE Palm Resort before attending a political rally in the state.
Governor Eno has declared Friday a work-free day to enable residents and workers to participate in activities marking the President’s visit.
Tinubu is expected to proceed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday to participate in an All Progressives Congress (APC) political rally.
The rally will be his third since he officially flagged off his re-election campaign in Kaduna State last month.
The planned visits come barely two days after the President returned to Abuja from Saudi Arabia, where he performed the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 8:53 p.m. on Wednesday and was received by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Defence, the Inspector-General of Police and other government officials.
During his stay in Saudi Arabia, the President was granted access to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, where he offered prayers for Nigeria and its citizens.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2027 election in Kaduna State, Usman Shehu Bawa, ABG, has suspended all his campaign activities following the death of three party members in a fatal motor accident.
The victims died on their way home after attending a meeting in Kaduna.
A statement issued by his spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, said the gubernatorial candidate expressed deep sorrow over the death of the party members.
He explained that the inauguration of his campaign council, and other related activities planned for Saturday have been suspended till further notice.
He expressed regret for the inconvenience the suspension may have caused, particularly to individuals invited for the occasion.
The three deceased members are all from Jema’a Local Government Area of the state and are identified as Caleb Ishaya Alot – Secretary of PDP, Jema'a LGA, Mercy Achi – Women leader, Wise Ward and Charity Bahago – member of the PDP, Wise Ward.
According to Shehu ABG, "The incident is a painful loss to the bereaved families and the entire PDP family in the state."
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate families and the people of Jema’a Local Government Area and members of the party in the state over the painful loss.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in the accident.
Kaduna PDP guber candidate, Bawa suspends activities over death of party members
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