Motivation serves as the reason for people’s reaction for doing something, willingly and self-desire. However, some athletes are having difficulties in proven their best due to insufficient reinforcement to cater for the immediate needs. Hence, the need for this study, therefore, this study examined the motivational factors predicting optimal accomplishment among student athletes in University of Ilorin, Kwara State. The objectives of the study were to examine; (i) intrinsic as motivational factors and (ii) extrinsic as motivational factors predicting optimal accomplishment among student-athletes in University of Ilorin, Kwara State. A descriptive research of survey type was employed and the population comprised of (710) 100% all participants at the National Sports Festival in Edo State. Simple random sampling technique was used with the help of research advisor to select three hundred and eighteen (318) 45% of the total population and the researcher’s developed instrument was validated by 2 experts in the field. A pilot study was conducted using test re-test method and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was conducted to obtained a correlation coefficient of -.75. The hypotheses were analyzed using statistics of Chi-square (X²) at 0.05 level of significance. The findings from the study were that; Intrinsic as motivational factors(X² value of 32.407 > critical value of 16.92 with 9 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of significance; Extrinsic as motivational factors (family, coach, peers and financial benefits) significantly predicted youth athletes in Nigeria with the calculated X² value of 41.506 than the critical value of 16.92 with 9 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of significance; Based on the findings of this study it was concluded that intrinsic motivation factors, extrinsic motivational factors had significant influence on student athletes of University of Ilorin, Ilorin. It was therefore, recommended that student athletes in Nigeria should set achievable targets for themselves regardless of their chosen sport so as to maintain their intrinsic motivation towards continuously participatinge in sports. Since extrinsic motivation positively influence athletes to give their best, all the stakeholder should restructure its motivational package with adequate rewards such that athletes will have greater interest in representing the Country. Prompt payments of allowances as at when due by the management of sports development to the athletes as reward will motivate them to participating effectively in sport. Award of scholarships by the management of sports will motivate students’ participation in sports.