According  to the communique issued at the end of the Council meeting, it was agreed that  the games would open on Thursday  December  3rd, opening ceremony  scheduled  for December 5th , closing ceremony takes place  on Thursday  December 17th.The competition proper is staggered in two phases from December 12th- 16th.

The communique  noted" The Virtual meeting held earlier  this year  unanimously agreed to host the Festival  this year. The Committee  of Experts set up during the Virtual meeting made specific recommendations regarding the  the successful organisation of  the 20th National Sports Festival. It has become imperative  to tinker with the modus  operandi of the Festival".

The recommendations  are however  subject to the buy-in  of the  PTF and final approval  by the President and Commander in - Chief   President Mohammadu Buhari.

The festival was postponed few days to the kick off due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in March.