2nd NBESS: Bauchi Beats Them All As Gov Mohammed Says Sports Is Agent Of National Dev

By Usman Walin Gungura

The second edition of the National Basic education school sports ended on Tuesday 10th February 2026 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium with a final football match between the defending champions Taraba State and Nasarawa State. At the end of the 20 minutes game Nasarawa State beat Taraba state 3 — 0 to emerge champions of the 2026 edition, after keen contest by 26 states of federation.

On the overall, the host Bauchi topped the medals table in both male and female categories with 19 gold, 21 silver and 14 bronze medals to emerge winners of the 2026 edition. Delta State came second with 53 medals while third position went to Kaduna State with 23 Medals.

Declaring the Competition closed, Governor Bala Mohammed commended the organizers of this important events that drew brilliant and intelligent pupils from across 26 states of the federation to Bauchi. “I must appreciate the confidence and opportunity accorded to Bauchi to host this historic national school pupils games that attracted over 1000 athletes and officials to the city of sports in Nigeria,” Governor Bala said.

Governor Bala Mohammed who was represented at the closing ceremony by the State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Lawal Muhammad Rimin Zayam, explained that the annual event will continue to unite young Nigerians from diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds under sportsmanship, believing that sports is a unifying factor and agent of national development.

He congratulated the winners, all participating states, FCT and particularly UBEC for successful, peaceful and hitch-free competition.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, in her speech said that the 10 days sporting activities has showcased team work, discipline, talents, determination, sportsmanship and unity among young pupils across the country.

Dr. Aisha spoke through the zonal Director, Abdullahi Shehu Jarma, who thanked and appreciated Bauchi State Government, NASSOF, SUBEB chairmen and other stakeholders for their support towards the development of education sports in all the schools, stressing that such events will keep producing and nurturing future champions that will later take over from the present Nigerian hero athletes.

She called on all schools across the federation to take sports as an essential part of education to build healthier, united and brighter children in the society.

In his remarks, the President, National SUBEB Sports Officers Forum NASSOF, Mr. Ipede Joseph, commended Bauchi State Government, SUBEB and all the states for the successful hosting of the second edition of NBESS Games in Bauchi.

He announced that the 3rd edition of the schools sports games will take place in Asaba, Delta State Nigeria.