Joel Ajayi

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has assured Nigeria’s beach volleyball players of maximum support and the resources required to achieve a podium finish at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Adeniyi gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja when he hosted the victorious beach volleyball players who secured Nigeria’s first qualification ticket for the 2028 Olympics at the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Nations Championship in Alexandria, Egypt.

The Nigerian pair of Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa won gold at the championship to secure the historic Olympic qualification.

The Customs boss congratulated the players and officials for their determination, describing their achievement as evidence that the right investment, discipline and preparation could produce world-class results.

He said the players had already proved themselves at the national level and should now focus on challenging the dominance of North African, Arab and East African teams on the continent.

“You have shown that it is possible. You beat two African teams to qualify, and you have shown that it is possible in big competitions.

“With better coordination, better planning and a more strategic approach, I am sure that within the next two years, we can break that dominance.

“And those who will do it are people like you. We cannot wait to get you to that moment where you will rule Africa and rule the world,” he said.

Adeniyi also recalled the establishment of the VIP Vipers Volleyball club, which emerged from an initiative by the Customs Service to strengthen its volleyball programme and provide a platform for talented players who could not be accommodated in the Customs team.

He said the initiative had yielded significant results, noting that the Vipers team progressed from the National Division One to the Premiership and produced the two players who represented Nigeria at the African Beach Volleyball Championship.

According to him, the Customs Service’s support for the players will now extend to their Olympic preparations.

“I wanted you to take this same determination, this same preparedness and this desire for glory to the Olympics, and you can be sure that we will give you all the support to give you a podium finish during the Olympics in 2028.

“I can promise you that everything that you need to do just that, we will give it to you,” Adeniyi assured.

He said preparations for the Olympics must begin immediately, adding that the players would be exposed to quality tours, strong opposition and competitions that would help them gain the experience and toughness required for the global stage.

Adeniyi further pledged to work with the team’s officials to ensure that the players received the necessary support and conducive conditions ahead of the Games.

He also assured the athletes that their welfare and education would be prioritised, promising that they would be adequately supported throughout their sporting careers.

The Comptroller-General urged the players to approach the Olympics as African champions and strive to prove that their historic qualification was no fluke.

“You are going there as African champions and you must be the best that Africa has in that particular competition,” he said.

He commended the players, officials and everyone who contributed to Nigeria’s historic qualification, urging them to maintain the discipline, determination and commitment that earned them the Olympic ticket.

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