Sports

NJF Wins IGP Support for 2026 Championships After Strategic Meeting

Published

5 months ago

May 13, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The Nigeria Judo Federation [NJF] has secured the commitment of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, to partner with the federation in advancing judo across Nigeria, following a courtesy visit on Wednesday, 6th May 2026.

The delegation, led by NJF President Dr. Musa Oshodi, met the IGP at the IGP Conference Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja. The visit focused on deepening collaboration between the federation and the Nigeria Police Force, which has historically produced several of the country’s top judokas.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday on the outcome of the visit, Dr. Oshodi described the engagement as “cordial, productive, and inspiring,” noting that the IGP’s background as a former judo athlete made the discussions more meaningful.

“We presented three key requests to the IGP,” Dr. Oshodi said. “First, we sought his sponsorship and support for the 2026 IGP Judo Championships. Second, we proposed closer collaboration with the Nigerian Police to intensify their kinetic defense base through judo training. Third, we appealed to him to use his good office to attract individual and corporate sponsors to the federation.”

Responding, IGP Disu, who holds a 4th Dan black belt and now serves as Life Patron of the NJF, assured the delegation of his readiness to support the federation’s goals.

“IGP Disu told us unequivocally that he is ready to partner with the federation’s aspirations. He understands the values of discipline, resilience, and respect that judo instills, and he wants to see those values spread further within the Force and beyond,” Dr. Oshodi quoted the IGP as saying.

The visit also served as an opportunity to formally inform the IGP of his recent upgrade from 3rd Dan to 4th Dan and his promotion from Patron to Life Patron of the Nigeria Judo Federation.

“This recognition is our way of honouring his contributions and acknowledging his place in the judo family. His acceptance and words of encouragement have energized us to work harder for the growth of the sport,” Dr. Oshodi added.

The NJF president expressed optimism that the partnership would yield tangible results ahead of the 2026 IGP Judo Championships and strengthen the role of judo in national security training.

“We are confident that with the IGP’s support, judo will continue to grow as both a competitive sport and a tool for building discipline and tactical capacity in our security agencies,” he said.

The courtesy visit marks a renewed push by the NJF to strengthen ties with key stakeholders and expand the reach of judo nationwide.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

15 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

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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