Sports
Customs, VIP Vipers Volleyball Teams Gear Up for Africa Showdown, Thumbs CGC’s Support
By Joel Ajayi
With solid preparation, improved squad depth, and strong institutional backing, the female volleyball teams of the Nigeria Customs Service and VIP Vipers are poised to make a significant impact on the continental stage as they gear up for the 2026 Women’s African Volleyball Club Championship in Cairo.
The tournament, scheduled for April 11 to 24, will feature top club sides from across the continent and is organised by the Confederation of African Volleyball. Both teams head into the competition determined to improve on their previous performances.
Speaking during a training session on Monday in Gwagwalada Abuja, the Director of Sports, Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, said preparations began immediately after last year’s championship, where the team finished ninth.
According to him, our teams have recorded steady progress, last season Customs Ladies are the champion of Nigeria Volleyball Premier league while VIP Vipers emerges as Winner of Division one league unbeaten
“Both teams also featured in the just concluded Zone 3 Africa Club Championship and they did well.
“Our immediate target is to reach the quarterfinals and rank among the top eight teams in Africa. That would mark clear progress. From there, we can push for a semifinal place, while our long-term ambition is to compete for the title,” Onikeku stated.
He added that the inclusion of quality players has strengthened the squads, boosting confidence ahead of the championship.
“We represent Nigeria, and we must consistently rank among the best in Africa. The players understand this responsibility and are ready to deliver,” he said.
Onikeku also commended the leadership of the Customs management under the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for sustained investment in sports development, noting that the support has greatly enhanced team performance.
Coach of the Customs women’s team, Sulieman Ajaegbe, expressed optimism, praising the technical crew and management for their commitment.
“With the level of preparation and support we’ve received, we are confident of surpassing last year’s performance. The team is young, agile, and motivated, with players who have gained valuable international exposure,” he said.
Team captain, Rofiat Mustapha, also appreciated the leadership for its unwavering backing.
“We have trained intensively and built strong team chemistry. Our goal is to go out there and make Nigeria proud,” she said.
Similarly, VIP Vipers head coach, Francisca Ikhiede, commended the sponsors for providing the needed support and motivation.
“The players are focused, motivated, and ready for the challenge. This is our first appearance at the African Club Championship, and we are determined to compete strongly and represent our country with pride,” she said.
Ikhiede noted that despite the youthful nature of the team, the players possess the quality and determination to excel.
“I don’t see it as pressure, but as a push to deliver. Preparations have been excellent, and we are confident of making a strong impact,” she added.
On her own, Captain of VIP Vipers, Esther Mbah Onyinye, expressed excitement ahead of the tournament, drawing from her previous experience of finishing second in a major competition.
“It was a great experience reaching the final against strong opponents. That has prepared me for this stage, and I believe I can make a meaningful contribution,” she said.
With strong backing, thorough preparation, and determined squads, both Nigeria Customs and VIP Vipers are set to fly Nigeria’s flag high in Cairo and challenge for continental honours.
Sports
NSC, NCC Enter Bold Alliance to Make Nigeria E-Sports Capital – From Stadium to Server
Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) is taking Nigerian sports beyond the track and pitch into the digital arena.
In a move that could redefine the future of sports development in the country, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, on Thursday led a high-powered delegation on a strategic working visit to the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Hon. Idris Olorunbe.
The meeting aimed at forging a groundbreaking partnership to accelerate sports digitalisation and position Nigerian e-sports on par with global standards.
During the meeting, Hon. Olopade made it clear that the NSC is ready to embrace technology as a core driver of growth.
“Our intention is to work closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission to improve sports science, especially e-sports, through viable sponsorship. We are counting on the NCC to help deepen connectivity and attract the kind of corporate backing that modern sports demand.”
He further emphasized the need for private sector involvement.
“Corporate Social Responsibility must play a stronger role in sports development. We cannot build a 21st-century sports ecosystem without the tech and telecommunications sectors at the table. With strong cohesion between the NSC and NCC, there will be measurable improvement in sports sponsorship and digital infrastructure.”
“The NCC has a critical role to play in making e-sports work in Nigeria. From internet speed to gaming infrastructure, their support is essential if we want our athletes to compete and win on the global stage,” the DG added.
NCC Chairman, Hon. Idris Olorunbe, responded with a strong statement that set the tone for what could become a landmark partnership:“Everything that can be done in traditional sports can also be done in e-sports. The question is not if we will do it, but how we are going to do it.”
He also highlighted the economic potential of the collaboration.
“There is huge economic value attached to this synergy. What we are trying to build goes beyond sports, it touches youth employment, digital innovation, and national branding. It is commendable that the DG has taken this step.”
Hon. Olorunbe further stressed the shared national objective driving both agencies.“The essence of this collaboration is to make our country better. For the sake of our e-sports athletes, we must build gaming hubs. We must create the environment, bandwidth, and policies that allow Nigerian talent to thrive.”
Both parties agreed to establish a joint technical working group to develop a roadmap for sports digitalisation, e-sports league structuring, and a national framework for attracting sponsors into the digital sports ecosystem.
The NSC–NCC alliance marks a significant step, potentially the first formal collaboration between Nigeria’s sports and communications regulators to build a sustainable digital sports economy.
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