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 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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