AAC presidential candidate says his administration will turn Nigeria into a global sports hub, invest in athletes and unlock the economic potential of the sports industry……
African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has unveiled an ambitious sports agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections, promising to reposition Nigeria as a major destination for global sporting activities if elected president.
Sowore made the pledge on Saturday in Enugu, where he took part in the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon.
The former presidential candidate, who participated in the 10-kilometre race for the second consecutive time, said Nigeria had the population, talent and potential to become a major force in international sports but had been held back by poor administration and inadequate investment.
One of his strongest promises was directed at Nigeria’s football fortunes.
Sowore said that, under his proposed eight-year administration, Nigeria would not miss a single FIFA World Cup, insisting that the country has enough football talent to qualify consistently when the right structures are put in place.
“We are supposed to be at the World Cup. If I’m president of Nigeria, we are not missing any World Cup for my eight years. I’ll make sure that happens,” he said.
He argued that football should not be the only focus of Nigeria’s sporting development, saying athletes in disciplines such as athletics and swimming could also compete successfully on the world stage if they received proper support.
According to him, his government would prioritise sports infrastructure, competent administration and an environment where athletes can develop their talents and compete internationally.
“Nigeria will become a major sports hub for the world. It doesn’t matter which sports you are doing. I’m a swimmer too, by the way,” Sowore said.
He questioned why Nigeria, with its huge population and abundance of young people, has not been able to produce more world-class athletes, particularly in long-distance running and swimming.
Sowore pointed to Kenya and Brazil as examples of countries that have successfully leveraged sporting talent and competitions to generate economic opportunities and international recognition.
“Nigeria has 200 million people. I don’t know why we are not beating Kenya in all the long-distance races,” he said.
Beyond medals and international competitions, Sowore said Nigeria should begin viewing sports as a serious economic sector capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and providing opportunities for young people.
He described the sports industry as part of what he called the “orange economy”, arguing that a properly developed sports economy could generate enormous revenue for the country.
“Most importantly, this is how to build young people to be global ambassadors of your country. There’s a big economy out there that is known as the sports economy,” he said.
For Sowore, sporting events also have benefits beyond competition. He said road races could promote healthier lifestyles, bring communities together and create a link between sports and culture.
He consequently called on state governments across Nigeria to organise road races and similar sporting activities as part of efforts to encourage youth participation and healthy living.
The AAC candidate also used the occasion to make a technical clarification about the event he participated in, noting that a 10-kilometre race is not, strictly speaking, a marathon.
He explained that a full marathon covers 42 kilometres, while a half marathon is 21 kilometres.
Sowore said his decision to return to the Enugu event was influenced by his experience during the previous edition.
According to him, the organisation of the earlier race left a positive impression, prompting him to participate again.
“Well, I came back because I was impressed with the first one and I have seen so far that the organisation is impressive,” he said.
He maintained that events of this nature should be encouraged across the country because they provide opportunities for young people to participate in sports while helping cities promote community engagement.
Sowore, who also described himself as a swimmer and referenced his Niger Delta background, said Nigeria’s sporting potential extends far beyond football.
He argued that the country should be producing more elite swimmers and athletes, rather than allowing its sporting resources and talents to remain underdeveloped.
The AAC presidential candidate also took aim at the way sports, particularly football, has been managed in Nigeria.
He argued that the country’s disappointing international results cannot simply be blamed on a lack of talent, insisting that Nigeria possesses athletes capable of competing with the best in the world.
Rather, he attributed some of the country’s setbacks to poor administration, insufficient support systems and the failure to create the right conditions for athletes to succeed.
Sowore said his proposed government would address those shortcomings by bringing competent people into sports administration and providing the infrastructure and institutional support required to develop athletes.
“This is because we get the best and the most competent and we will provide the environment for sports to thrive in this country,” he said.
His comments come as sports remains a major part of Nigeria’s international identity, particularly through football, athletics and other individual disciplines.
For Sowore, however, the opportunity goes beyond winning medals or qualifying for major tournaments. He believes Nigeria can turn its sporting talent into a major economic asset while giving millions of young people another pathway to opportunity.
His pledge to make Nigeria a global sports hub is therefore emerging as another component of his wider pitch to voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
