By Sandra Chukwunyere
As part of efforts to deepen youth empowerment, promote grassroots sports development and strengthen community engagement, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has brought together 13 secondary schools in Lagos for the 2026 Wale Adeniyi Secondary School Sports Championship, with a commitment to support outstanding young athletes through sponsorship and career development opportunities.
The week-long competition, which features schools from the Ajeromi-Ifelodun area of Lagos State, was officially declared open on Monday, July 27th at the Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena, Western Marine Command, Ibafon.
The event brought together education stakeholders, school proprietors, sports enthusiasts, Customs Officers and community leaders united in the quest to nurture young talents through sports.
Declaring the championship open, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Mohammed Babandede, said the competition reflects the visionary leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose Customs Cares Initiative (CCI) has strengthened the Service’s engagement with host communities through impactful social interventions.
Babandede explained that the tournament was designed not only to encourage sporting excellence but also to identify and nurture young talents while promoting discipline, teamwork, resilience and leadership among students.
He recalled that the Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena, commissioned in February 2026, was established as a community facility to provide young people with opportunities for physical development, social interaction and talent discovery, while deepening the bond between the Nigeria Customs Service and its host communities.
The Customs chief further disclosed that the championship is being organised in collaboration with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ajeromi-Ifelodun Chapter, with participating schools competing in football, basketball, volleyball, chess, Scrabble and table tennis.
Highlighting the wider benefits of sports, Babandede noted that physical fitness and mental well-being remain critical to personal growth and productivity. He therefore urged the students to compete with integrity, respect and a strong sense of sportsmanship.
He encouraged participants to embrace the values of discipline, unity and friendship throughout the tournament, stressing that the relationships built during the competition could prove as valuable as the medals and trophies at stake.
Babandede also commended the collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service, NAPPS, the Lagos State Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, describing it as a practical example of how sports and education can be deployed to advance national development.
Delivering the goodwill message of the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Customs Area Controller of the Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to discovering and supporting the next generation of sporting talents.
Ntadi expressed delight at the impressive turnout of students and schools, describing the championship as another demonstration of the Service’s resolve to invest in Nigeria’s future through youth empowerment.
He disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service would closely monitor the performances of participating athletes, assuring them that those who distinguish themselves through exceptional talent, discipline and commitment would receive sponsorship and career development opportunities.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at identifying emerging talents and providing young athletes with the platform and support needed to realise their full potential.
He challenged the students to give their best throughout the competition, stressing that the Service is looking for athletes capable of making Nigeria proud on both national and international stages.
Quoting the Comptroller-General, Ntadi said: “We want to promote sports among our youths, take our children off the streets and give them the opportunity to develop their talents so that, in the future, Nigeria will be proud of them.”
He assured participants that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to encourage and support gifted athletes, helping them transform their abilities into successful careers and meaningful contributions to society.
Speaking during the event, the representative of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Mr. Christopher Obuku, praised the Nigeria Customs Service and the Lagos State Ministry of Education for creating a platform that fosters interaction and healthy engagement among students from diverse educational backgrounds.
He stated that the championship would serve as an avenue for building character, strengthening interpersonal relationships and encouraging a spirit of cooperation among participants. According to him, the competition would also instill important values such as discipline, respect, teamwork and fair play, while promoting social integration among students.
Obuku noted that initiatives of this nature play a vital role in shaping responsible future leaders and creating opportunities for students to discover and develop their talents beyond the classroom environment.
Beyond the medals and trophies, the championship is expected to inspire a new generation of young athletes, reinforce the values of hard work and discipline, and open doors for talented students seeking opportunities to excel in sports and other areas of life.
