Oil, Gas Firms Set For Sporting Showdown At 20th NOGIG
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
NOGIG 2026: 1,200 Athletes Set to Compete Across 13 Sports
ABUJA will play host to the 20th edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) from 8 to 14 February 2026, with over 1,200 athletes from 15 companies expected to participate.
The announcement was made at a press briefing on Friday by Sulaiman Sulaiman, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), who described the event as a landmark celebration of 40 years of sports, collaboration, and unity within the oil and gas sector.
“This historic edition celebrates four decades of using sports as a platform to strengthen unity, foster excellence, and deepen collaboration across the industry,” Sulaiman said.
A Premier Industry Sporting Event
Since its inception in 2006, NOGIG has evolved into a biennial flagship sporting competition bringing together operators, oil companies, and industry institutions. The games aim not only to showcase athletic talent but also to reinforce workforce wellness, cohesion, and a spirit of friendly rivalry.
“An industry that competes together builds trust and grows stronger through collaboration,” Sulaiman emphasised, noting that NOGIG promotes discipline, teamwork, and camaraderie among employees.
Venues and Competitions
Most of the sporting events will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, while the snooker tournament will be held at the E12 Club, Wuse. The golf competition has already concluded prior to the main event.
The games will feature 13 sports disciplines, including athletics, football, volleyball, badminton, squash, tennis, table tennis, swimming, scrabble, snooker, golf, basketball, and chess. Participating companies include TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, Seplat Energy, Oando, Shell, Nigeria LNG (NLNG), NNPC, Renaissance, Chevron, Aradel Holdings, Petroleum Training Institute, and ND Western.
Promoting Industry Excellence
Highlighting the strategic role of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector in the national economy, Sulaiman noted that NOGIG underscores core values such as inclusiveness, discipline, and teamwork, while also providing a platform for industry stakeholders to strengthen operational cooperation.
“The Local Organising Committee is committed to delivering a safe, well-coordinated competition that upholds fairness and integrity,” he said, inviting the media, industry participants, and the public to join in celebrating four decades of excellence through sports.
Awards and Recognition
The LOC assured that trophies, team honours, and individual awards will be presented to outstanding performers at the conclusion of the games, further incentivising participation and performance.
“The 20th NOGIG reaffirms that collaboration, wellness, and shared purpose remain at the heart of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. We look forward to a successful and memorable event,” Sulaiman concluded.
