The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State Chairman’s Cup has announced that the much-anticipated youth football tournament will be officially unveiled in October 2025.
The tournament, designed for Under-20 players, is a flagship project of the Lagos APC leadership and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes youth development and nation-building through sports and talent discovery.
Hon. (Engr.) Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and Conference 57, has been appointed Co-Chairman of the LOC. Speaking on Friday, Olowa highlighted the competition’s potential to engage millions of youths across Lagos in constructive activities that will nurture dreams, reduce crime, and open new opportunities for young talents.
According to the organisers, matches will be played at the ward level across all 57 Local Councils in Lagos State, culminating in finals that will showcase the state’s best grassroots football talent. The initiative also carries a civic engagement component, as arrangements are underway to provide Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration points at tournament venues to encourage youth participation in future elections.
The LOC emphasised that the competition is strictly apolitical and will be implemented in partnership with football governing bodies and private sector stakeholders, including the Federal Government Football Agency and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development. Technical and professional input from these bodies will ensure smooth organisation and fair play throughout the tournament.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to serve as Chief Host at the official unveiling, scheduled to take place at the APC Lagos State Secretariat in Ikeja. Other state executives and legislators are also expected to attend the ceremony.
Hon. Adedola Jokomba, Secretary of the APC Lagos State Chapter, described the project as an initiative that would not only empower young people but also expose them to international sporting opportunities.
“The Chairman’s Cup will help reduce crime, provide a platform for self-discovery, and showcase Lagos youths to the global football community,” he said.