Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is once again in the spotlight at the ongoing 2025 ICC Annual Conference in Singapore, with strong representation, impactful contributions, and notable recognition at key regional and global forums, including the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) Annual General Meeting.

A major highlight of the Africa Regional Meeting was the re-election of Dr. Uyi Akpata, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), to the ACA Board of Directors. Dr. Akpata, who previously served as an Interim Director, received a renewed mandate reflecting the continent’s confidence in his leadership and his role in advancing cricket development across Africa.

During the meeting, the ACA emphasized deeper collaboration among member nations, including peer reviews and knowledge-sharing strategies aimed at accelerating cricket growth on the continent. The newly constituted board, with Dr. Akpata among its seven directors, is expected to drive this renewed vision of unity and development.

At the ICC Associate Members Meeting earlier in the day, ICC Chair Jay Shah singled out Nigeria for praise, applauding the country’s outstanding performance at the U19 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Malaysia. He described Nigeria as a standout among Associate nations, earning global attention through consistent growth and achievement.

Further commendations came from Mr. Mubashshir Usmani, Chair of the Associate Members, who lauded the Nigeria Cricket Federation’s grassroots efforts. He specifically referenced initiatives like the Criiio Cricket Program and the 9ja Kids Cricket Initiative, recalling his personal experience attending the launch of plastic cricket gear in Lagos. Usmani described the NCF’s work as a “massive investment in the future of the sport.”

In another key development during the African regional engagements, countries in West Africa—including Cameroon—agreed to host the inaugural West Africa U17 Men’s Cricket Tournament in Ghana in Q4 2025. The event is intended to prepare teams for the ICC U19 Men’s Division 2 Qualifiers and Finals scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

To lead the initiative, Emeka Igwilo, General Manager of the NCF, was appointed Coordinator. He will oversee planning and engage with participating nations to finalize the calendar in line with academic schedules. Nigeria’s squad for the U17 tournament will be drawn from the 2025 PwC National Youth Cricket Events.

As the ICC Annual Conference enters its third day, more strategic decisions and resolutions are expected, all focused on strengthening cricket’s global footprint.

Nigeria’s active participation and growing international recognition underscore its rising profile in world cricket—driven by visionary leadership, innovation, and sustained grassroots investment.

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