The Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, recently emphasized the critical need for significant investments in sporting activities to secure Nigeria's future. Speaking at the conclusion of a three-day Youth Basketball Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, sponsored by the Bosun Tijani Foundation, the Minister urged all three tiers of government to prioritize such investments. He asserted that supporting various sports categories is the most effective way to empower Nigerian youths, providing them with platforms to develop and showcase their skills, and ultimately become whatever they aspire to be.

Minister Tijani articulated this vision during a session where he presented trophies and cash gifts to the winners of the Youths Basketball Festival. He highlighted that the maiden edition of the Bosun Tijani Foundation’s Youths Basketball Tournament is set to become an annual tradition. This event aims to offer young talents a consistent opportunity to display their abilities, foster enjoyment, and celebrate during the festive season. The Minister stressed that President Bola Tinubu frequently underscores the importance of Nigeria's youthful demographic, noting that the average age of the population is 16.9 years, with over 60 percent of citizens under 30. This demographic reality, he stated, places a profound responsibility on the nation to invest in programs that uplift the youth and provide them with avenues for growth and self-expression.

Furthermore, Minister Tijani revealed plans to expand the foundation's initiatives, including a Table Tennis Competition during the Ileya Festivals. He likened sports to a powerful tool for community engagement, drawing parallels to the ongoing efforts in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria. He explained that the basketball tournament was conceived to harness the unifying spirit of the sport, bringing young people together to express themselves, sharpen their skills, and cultivate confidence, character, and a sense of possibility.

The basketball tournament itself culminated in an exciting final held at the Alake Sports Complex in Ijeja, Abeokuta. The North Central Basketball Team (NNCBC) emerged victorious, claiming the star prize of N3 Million after defeating their opponents, the Lagos State-based Ilupeju Raiders, with an aggregate score of 62 – 52. The Ilupeju Raiders, as the runner-up, received a cash prize of N1.5 Million, while the third-placed team was awarded N1 Million. The event was well-attended, with representatives of the state governor and prominent royal fathers from Ogun State present to witness the festivities and support the youth.