NOC Moves Olympic Day Celebration to 4 July

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has pushed the 2026 Olympic Day celebration back by one week. The event will now take place on 4 July instead of 27 June.

This decision came after an emergency meeting of the NOC's Sport-for-All Commission on 6 June. A statement from the committee confirmed the change.

Organisers say this new date will give participating states more time to finish their preparations. This will help ensure everything runs smoothly without conflicts or logistic problems.

Olympic Day is a global event started by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It aims to promote physical activity and healthy living through non-competitive sports. People around the world celebrate this day to encourage everyone to take part in sports and to share the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.

Chairman of the NOC Sport-for-All Commission, Abdul Ibrahim, spoke during the meeting. He recognized the financial challenges facing organisers and stakeholders. Still, he urged everyone to stay focused on making the event a success.

"You have always strived to achieve the best, and this year’s event should not be an exception," Mr Ibrahim said.

He also praised the Nigeria Olympic Committee's leadership, led by Habu Gumel, for its support in making the annual event happen.

So far, at least 18 states have shown interest in hosting this year’s Olympic Day. These states include Delta, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Oyo, Anambra, Zamfara, Imo, Yobe, Kogi, Sokoto, and Adamawa, along with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Organisers expect more states to join in the coming weeks.

The NOC is also calling on companies, philanthropists, and the general public to support this event. They see Olympic Day as a chance to promote national unity, encourage healthy living, and connect different generations through sports.

The committee is asking for sponsorship and donations to help make the event a success in all participating states.