Preparations have reached an advanced stage for the hosting of Nigeria’s first-ever National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition (NASTOCE 2026), a landmark event aimed at harnessing the economic potential of sports tourism through multi-sectoral collaboration.
The two-day conference, scheduled for Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31, 2026, will take place at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja. It is being organised by Ringo Sports Club – Nigeria (RSCN) and endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Abuja FCT Chapter, alongside several key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Themed “Leveraging on the Intersection of Multi-Sectoral MDAs to Promote Sports Tourism in Nigeria,” the event will focus on the strong connectivity between sports, tourism and other critical sectors of the economy, with a view to unlocking their combined socio-economic benefits.
Speaking ahead of the conference, President of Ringo Sports Club – Nigeria and Convener of NASTOCE 2026, Malam Ahmed Mohammed Sule, said the conference is designed to provide a robust platform for knowledge sharing, stakeholder engagement and investment promotion within the sports and tourism industries.
According to him, the objectives include fostering collaboration between public and private sector players, highlighting the economic impact of sports tourism, creating opportunities for youth empowerment, and showcasing Nigeria’s sports and tourism products through exhibitions.
Malam Ahmed explained that the choice of theme reflects the urgent need for MDAs to better understand and leverage the intersections between sports and tourism, stressing that globally, sports tourism is an emerging sector capable of driving significant economic growth. He noted that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes place the country in a strong position to benefit from this growing global market.
The conference will feature expert-led discussions and paper presentations by chief executives and professionals from relevant MDAs, focusing on critical sub-themes such as the economic impact of sports tourism, sports infrastructure as tourist attractions, policy frameworks, sustainable practices, digital technology adoption, security architecture, funding and financing, public-private partnerships, and destination marketing.
Participants are expected from a wide range of sectors, including the National Sports Commission, sports federations, tour and travel operators, aviation and maritime industries, security agencies, financial institutions, digital economy stakeholders, and the media.
Highlights of the event include a sports tourism exhibition, B2B and G2B sessions, inauguration of patrons and board members of Ringo Sports Club – Nigeria, launch of tourism thematic compilations, and an awards and gala night to honour outstanding contributors to Nigeria’s sports and tourism industries.
Organisers say the conference is expected to mark a major step towards positioning sports tourism as a strategic pillar of Nigeria’s national development agenda.
