The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has agreed to partner with organisers of the Dolphin Swimming League to host its first long course swimming event on February 21 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Lagos.
The partnership follows the impressive organisation and impact of the Dolphin Swimming League, Nigeria’s leading private inter-school swimming competition. The league has played a key role in Lagos State’s dominance in swimming at the 2025 National Youth Games, where the sport contributed the bulk of the gold medals that earned the state its first-ever overall first-place finish.
Director General of the LSSC, Lekan Fatodu, acknowledged that most of the medalists at the National Youth Games were products of the Dolphin Swimming League, pledging the commission’s continued support for the initiative.
“I want to say a big thank you to the organisers of the Dolphin Swimming League for this remarkable initiative and their consistency. The improvement we see here is absolutely remarkable, and there is no doubt that talents are constantly being discovered through this platform,” Fatodu said. He added that the Lagos State Government remains committed to supporting programmes that enable young people to showcase their talents and develop to elite levels.
Fatodu noted that the partnership aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of empowering youths and identifying talents within schools for national and international success. He revealed that the government is exploring areas of collaboration to expand training opportunities and improve facilities, stressing that the league has already contributed significantly to Lagos’ sporting success.
Meanwhile, plans have been finalised for the league’s first long course competition, which will be held at the newly constructed Olympic-size swimming pool at Rowe Park, Yaba. The coordinator of the Dolphin Swimming League, Oluseyi Oyebode, confirmed the development, describing the partnership as a major milestone.
Oyebode said the league is experiencing rapid growth, adding that three swimmers will return from the African Youth Games in Angola ahead of the event. He expressed optimism that the collaboration with LSSC would further strengthen grassroots swimming development in Lagos State.
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