NLNG Ends NNPC Dominance: New Champions Crowned at 20th Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games

Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has been declared the overall winners of the 20th edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG), topping the medal table with an impressive haul of 52 medals – 20 gold, 16 silver, and 16 bronze – after a fiercely competitive week-long tournament that concluded on February 14, 2026.

The biennial event, designed to foster health, camaraderie, teamwork, and well-being among employees in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, brought together over 1,200 athletes from 15 major companies. Competitions took place across 13 sports disciplines – including athletics, football, swimming, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, basketball, and more — at venues such as the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

NLNG edged out the defending champions, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, who finished second with 49 medals (14 gold, 15 silver, 20 bronze). The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) secured third place with 18 medals (5 gold, 8 silver), while TotalEnergies rounded out the top four with 15 medals (5 gold, 10 bronze).

Rounding out the top 10 were Renaissance, Oando, Seplat Energy, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and ND Western. Chevron, NMDPRA, ExxonMobil, Shell, and Aradel occupied positions 11 to 15 respectively.

Swimming Dominance and Individual Excellence

NLNG’s triumph was particularly strong in swimming, which took place on Day 5 at the Olympic-size pool within the Moshood Abiola National Stadium complex. The company dominated the medal table in the pool, finishing first with 5 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze. NCDMB placed second (3 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze), and Oando third (3 gold, 3 silver).

Standout individual performances in swimming included:

• Meghan Perry (NLNG) winning gold in the women’s 50m breaststroke in 1:05, ahead of silver medalist Anita Adu (NNPC) and bronze medalist Ugochi Akwiwu (NNPC).

• Henrik Smith (NLNG) taking gold in the men’s 50m breaststroke, followed by silver medalist Boyo Joseph (Chevron) and bronze medalist Jesufemi Dayo-Odukoya (NNPC).

• Cherish Ofeoritse (NLNG) earning silver in the women’s 50m butterfly behind gold medalist Pretty Newton (NCDMB) and bronze medalist Edevuya Ekanem (NNPC).

These strong showings in the pool helped NLNG build momentum early and contributed heavily to their overall medal tally and championship title.

Team Sports and Historical Significance

In team sports, NLNG displayed resilience and skill. Their football team advanced to the final after a tense 5-4 penalty shootout victory over arch-rivals NNPC Limited in the semi-finals, setting up a gold-medal clash with NMDPRA. The volleyball and table tennis squads also recorded key wins during group stages and knockout rounds.

The 20th edition carried special significance as it marked 40 years of the games, celebrating four decades of unity, collaboration, and sporting excellence within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Organizers described it as a landmark event that highlighted the sector’s commitment to teamwork, wellness, and corporate camaraderie beyond the workplace.

NLNG’s victory reflects the company’s strong emphasis on employee engagement, physical fitness, and team spirit — values that translate into stronger performance in both sports and core business operations. As one of Nigeria’s flagship LNG producers, NLNG continues to invest in initiatives that build morale, cohesion, and holistic well-being among its workforce.

Congratulations poured in from across the industry, with fans, colleagues, and fellow participants praising the display of excellence, unity, and sportsmanship.