Music stars Davido and Asa lit up Abeokuta with electrifying performances at the opening ceremony of the Gateway Games 2024 on Sunday, May 18, at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
Davido Lights Up Abeokuta at Gateway Games 2024 Opening
Music stars Davido and Asa lit up Abeokuta with electrifying performances at the opening ceremony of the Gateway Games 2024 on Sunday, May 18, at the MKO Abiola Stadium. Their performances marked the official commencement of Nigeria’s biggest multi-sport festival, with fans cheering and singing along as the stadium came alive with energy and excitement.
The Gateway Games, officially known as the National Sports Festival, was initially scheduled for November 2024 but faced multiple postponements due to logistical and administrative challenges. Now holding from May 16 to 30, 2025, the event marks a significant moment for Ogun State, which is hosting the prestigious competition for the second time—nearly two decades after first doing so in 2006.
Although the opening ceremony was held on May 18, the Games had officially begun on Friday, May 16, with the arrival of participating states. Early competitions in weightlifting and Kung Fu kicked off the action ahead of the formal ceremony. Davido’s high-energy performance thrilled thousands of spectators, while Asa’s soulful rendition of the national and Ogun State anthems set a dignified and emotional tone for the night. The crowd erupted with excitement, capturing moments and celebrating the blend of music, culture, and sports.
The event was attended by top dignitaries including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and several other state governors. The ceremony also featured a colourful parade of athletes from Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, cultural displays, fireworks, and choreographed performances that celebrated the country’s rich heritage.
The Gateway Games 2024 aims to promote national unity, peace, and youth development through sports. With over 15,000 athletes and officials expected to participate, the festival serves not only as a platform for discovering new talents but also as a celebration of Nigeria’s diversity and sporting spirit.
Their performances marked the official commencement of Nigeria’s biggest multi-sport festival, with fans cheering and singing along as the stadium came alive with energy and excitement.
The Gateway Games, officially known as the National Sports Festival, was initially scheduled for November 2024 but faced multiple postponements due to logistical and administrative challenges. Now holding from May 16 to 30, 2025, the event marks a significant moment for Ogun State, which is hosting the prestigious competition for the second time—nearly two decades after first doing so in 2006.
Although the opening ceremony was held on May 18, the Games had officially begun on Friday, May 16, with the arrival of participating states. Early competitions in weightlifting and Kung Fu kicked off the action ahead of the formal ceremony. Davido’s high-energy performance thrilled thousands of spectators, while Asa’s soulful rendition of the national and Ogun State anthems set a dignified and emotional tone for the night. The crowd erupted with excitement, capturing moments and celebrating the blend of music, culture, and sports.
The event was attended by top dignitaries including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and several other state governors. The ceremony also featured a colourful parade of athletes from Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, cultural displays, fireworks, and choreographed performances that celebrated the country’s rich heritage.
The Gateway Games 2024 aims to promote national unity, peace, and youth development through sports. With over 15,000 athletes and officials expected to participate, the festival serves not only as a platform for discovering new talents but also as a celebration of Nigeria’s diversity and sporting spirit.