Sports
NCS Strengthens Youth Empowerment Through Sports, Customs Volleyball Team Targets Premier League Dominance
Joel Ajayi
The Sports Secretary of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Samuel Onikeku, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to using sports as a strategic tool for youth empowerment, describing its sustained investment in athletics as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts aimed at positively engaging young Nigerians.
Speaking on Monday at the ongoing 2026 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League, first phase, in Abuja, Onikeku said the initiative aligns with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team to keep youths productively engaged through sports, education, and other developmental programmes.
According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service has consistently expanded its CSR interventions beyond sports to include support for schools and educational development, while its growing investment in volleyball is already making a significant impact on the country’s sporting landscape.
“The CGC is committed to ensuring that young people are meaningfully engaged so they can contribute positively to national development. That is why the Nigeria Customs Service continues to invest in sports development,” he said.
Onikeku noted that the partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has contributed immensely to the growth of volleyball in Nigeria, adding that the collaboration would further strengthen the country’s competitiveness in Africa.
He expressed confidence that Nigerian volleyball would soon reclaim its place among Africa’s elite, citing steady progress and valuable international exposure gained through recent competitions.
Speaking on team preparations, Onikeku revealed that both the men’s and women’s teams have benefited from international engagements in Ghana, Cairo, and Kigali, experiences he said have greatly boosted player confidence and readiness.
“Thankfully, the CGC and his management supported our teams to compete in Ghana for the women, and in Cairo and Kigali for the men. These experiences have motivated the players significantly,” he said.
He added that the Customs teams remain focused despite increasing competition. The women’s team, he noted, won last season’s league title without losing a single match, making them the team to beat this year.
“The female team won the league last year unbeaten. Naturally, every team now wants to challenge them, but we are prepared,” he stated.
Also speaking, the 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Architect Adamu Tenimu, described the Premier League as the highest platform for showcasing volleyball excellence in Nigeria.
He noted that both locally based and internationally exposed players use the league to demonstrate their talents, while emerging players also gain opportunities to impress selectors for the national team.
Tenimu acknowledged the financial burden of organizing multiple competitions but stressed that the federation remains committed to sustaining the league and upcoming events, including the international beach volleyball championship scheduled for Badagry in July.
He also commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its support, noting that ongoing efforts to attract sponsorship and strategic partnerships would further enhance the federation’s activities and drive long-term growth for volleyball in Nigeria.
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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