In a landmark step toward regional inclusion and sporting development, Mr. Samson Deen, President of the African Paralympic Committee (AfPC), concluded an official visit to Nigeria ahead of the historic 1st West Africa Para Games, set for September 2025 in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The visit reflects the AfPC’s broader mission to rally governments, private sector actors, and political stakeholders around the shared goal of investing in disability sports, inclusive infrastructure, and empowerment across Africa.
Mr. Deen toured key sections of the M.K.O. Abiola Sports Arena, including the athletics oval, swimming pool, football pitch, tennis, and basketball courts; part of a comprehensive inspection of the host city’s readiness.
The event is expected to bring together hundreds of para-athletes and officials from ECOWAS nations, marking a new era for para-sports in West Africa.
“We must shift our mindset; from chasing competitions abroad to hosting them here at home,” Mr. Deen emphasized.
“It’s cost-effective, empowering, and it feels like home. Our athletes deserve platforms where visas and cold weather don’t stand in the way of performance.
During high-level talks with Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, Ogun State’s Commissioner for Sports, discussions centered around accessibility upgrades, logistics, and building a lasting legacy from the Games.
Following the inspection, Mr. Deen announced the AfPC’s full endorsement of the Games, calling it a “continental turning point” for inclusive sports in Africa.
“The West Africa Para Games is not just a sporting event. It is a bold declaration: that ability knows no boundaries. Ogun State has the chance to write history for generations of para-athletes
The AfPC President also called on African business leaders to step forward as strategic partners in disability sports; highlighting the sector’s potential for youth development, social innovation, and equity.
When African businesses invest in para-sports, they invest in dignity, hope, and the power of human potential. This is our moment to build arenas of equity across Africa.
The West Africa Para Games is expected to drive significant policy momentum around disability inclusion, while also boosting regional funding for para-sports and laying the groundwork for sustainable collaboration among West African nations.
It aims to reshape perceptions of disability and create enduring opportunities for leadership and participation across all sectors of society.
With preparations rapidly progressing, the AfPC is working closely with the Government of Ogun State, NPC Nigeria, and other development partners to deliver a world-class and transformative inaugural event.
