20th Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Games Open in Abuja

20th Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Games Open in Abuja

By Niyi Busari 

The 20th edition of the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) officially opened on Sunday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with industry leaders reaffirming their commitment to staff wellness, unity, and collaboration across the sector, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Eng. Sulaiman Sulaiman described the milestone edition as a reflection of the strength and cohesion of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

This year’s Games feature 15 participating companies drawn from across the oil and gas value chain, competing in 13 sporting events over the course of one week. According to the LOC Chairman, the scale of participation underscores the industry’s shared values and collective spirit.

Sulaiman expressed appreciation to the Grand Patron of NOGIG and Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, as well as chief executives and management teams of participating organisations, for prioritising employee wellness and supporting the event despite demanding operational schedules.

He also commended members of the Local Organising Committee and its various subcommittees—including Technical, Security, Medical, Logistics, Accreditation, Media, Welfare, and Protocol—for months of coordinated planning that ensured the successful launch of the Games.

Providing assurances on preparedness, the LOC Chairman stated that comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place in collaboration with relevant agencies to guarantee a safe and controlled environment. He added that robust safety measures, fully equipped medical teams, ambulances, trained sport coordinators, and qualified referees had been deployed across all venues to ensure fairness, neutrality, and adherence to established rules.

Emphasising the broader purpose of the Games, the LOC Chairman noted that NOGIG goes beyond competition, serving as a platform to strengthen industry collaboration, promote wellness as a strategic priority, and enhance productivity through teamwork.

“We are not professional athletes,” he said, “but professionals who understand that a healthy workforce is essential to operational excellence.”

He urged participants and officials to uphold discipline, respect match officials, avoid unnecessary disputes, and conduct themselves with integrity and sportsmanship throughout the Games.

As the week-long event commenced, the LOC Chairman called on stakeholders to demonstrate that the Nigerian oil and gas sector is organised, disciplined, united, and capable of excellence beyond its core operations.

“While we are competitors on the field,” he said, “we remain partners in powering Nigeria.”