Sports
Abuja Hosts Historic Trials as Nigeria Rowing Federation Pushes for Olympic Qualification
By Joel Ajayi
The Rowing, Canoeing and Sailing Federation of Nigeria has taken a major step toward Olympic qualification, staging historic National Time Trials in Abuja aimed at discovering and preparing elite athletes for global success.
Speaking at the maiden Canoe Sprint National Time Trials on Sunday, the federation’s president, Akin Ogunbiyi, reaffirmed the body’s commitment to grassroots talent development and international competitiveness. He described the event as a strategic platform to identify, nurture, and select Nigeria’s finest athletes for global competitions, including the Olympic Games.
Ogunbiyi noted that the trials were deliberately designed to be inclusive, giving athletes from across the country equal opportunity to compete and showcase their abilities.
“This is a time trial to ensure that no athlete is left out. We want to develop talent across the states and present only the best for international competitions,” he said.
He added that the federation has spent over 15 years expanding the sport across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with the current initiative marking a renewed push to deepen participation and raise national awareness.
The competition features 200m, 500m, and 1000m races, with athletes battling for spots on the national team. Ogunbiyi assured participants of robust support, including scholarships, access to modern facilities, and international training opportunities.
“We are prepared to support athletes with scholarships, international training, and the best facilities available. All they need to do is seize this opportunity,” he added.
He emphasized that the federation’s ambition extends beyond participation. “Our target is not just to attend international competitions but to win medals for Nigeria. That is the standard we have set,” he declared.
In her remarks, the Secretary-General, Olubumni Ola Oluode, described the trials as a landmark initiative to elevate Nigerian athletes to world-class standards.
She highlighted that, for the first time, competitors are using internationally certified fibreglass boats—equipment typically reserved for global championships and the Olympics—made possible through collaboration with the National Sports Commission and international partners.
“This is the first time athletes are being exposed to the same standard of boats used at international championships and the Olympics,” she noted.
About 70 athletes are currently participating, with more expected in subsequent rounds. Oluode added that top performers will progress to intensive training camps and benefit from structured international exposure programmes.
She further revealed that standout athletes, including Isiaka Ibrahim and Ifeanyi Okechukwu, have already secured training opportunities in Europe ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
With sustained investment in modern equipment, transparent selection processes, and elite training pathways, the federation remains confident that Nigeria is on course not just to qualify for the Olympics, but to compete strongly for medals.
Sports
NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.
Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.
The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.
“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.
“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”
Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.
He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.
Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.
“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.
He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.
On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.
Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.
“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”
“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.
“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.
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