Sports

NOC Women’s Commission Celebrates Nigeria’s Pioneer Female Athletes

Published

4 months ago

July 1, 2026

Cyril Ogar

The Women’s Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has honoured 17 pioneer female athletes who represented Nigeria at major international competitions, in recognition of their immense contributions to the country’s sporting history.

The award ceremony, held in Abuja, attracted several key stakeholders in the sports sector, including the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, represented by the Director of the Federation of Elite Athletes Development (FEAD), Mrs. Mbora Ikhana; President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel; President of the Association of Retired Nigerian Sportsmen and Women (RENISA), Sunday Adeleye; Third Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and President of the Nigeria Olympians Association, Olumide Oyedeji, among other distinguished guests.

Speaking at the event, President of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, described the recognition as long overdue, noting that the athletes made enormous sacrifices in representing Nigeria at a time when support for sports was minimal.

According to her, many of the athletes competed under difficult conditions, with some even participating barefooted at international competitions, yet remained committed to bringing honour to the nation.

She said the initiative was designed not only to celebrate the pioneers but also to inspire the next generation of athletes by assuring them that their sacrifices would always be remembered.

Professor Adeyanju expressed optimism that the awards would become an annual event with sustained support from the Nigeria Olympic Committee and other stakeholders, stressing that retired athletes deserve to be celebrated while they are still alive.

Representing the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Mrs. Mbora Ikhana commended the initiative, describing it as consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the welfare-driven policies of the Commission under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade.

She said the Commission remains committed to improving the welfare of both active and retired athletes and will continue to support initiatives that recognise their invaluable contributions to national development.

President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel, applauded the Women’s Commission for organising the event and commended the award recipients for their sacrifices and dedication to the nation.

He noted that the recognition aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s renewed emphasis on celebrating sporting legends and assured that the Nigeria Olympic Committee would continue to support programmes that honour past heroes and inspire future generations.

Also speaking, Third Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and President of the Nigeria Olympians Association, Olumide Oyedeji, described the initiative as timely and commendable.

He noted that the Nigeria Olympians Association runs a similar programme under the theme, “The Labour of Our Heroes Past Shall Never Be in Vain,” which focuses on Olympians, while the Women’s Commission initiative recognises athletes across the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and African Games.

Oyedeji commended the National Sports Commission for its renewed commitment to athlete welfare, expressing confidence that the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade would continue to introduce programmes that improve the lives of retired athletes.

Some of the award recipients, including Grace Ishaku, Bilikisu Popoola and Mrs. Dele Garko, expressed appreciation to the organisers for recognising them while they are still alive.

They recalled competing under difficult conditions, sometimes barefooted and with little or no support, adding that they never imagined they would one day be honoured by their country.

They described the recognition as a source of encouragement for younger athletes and urged them to remain committed to representing Nigeria with pride.

A total of 17 pioneer female athletes were honoured, with four receiving posthumous awards.

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Sports

NSC Disburses Another ₦300m Training Grants to 31 Elite Athletes Ahead of 2028 Olympic Games

Published

18 hours ago

October 30, 2026

The Gleamer

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disbursed approximately ₦300 million in quarterly training grants to more than 31 Nigerian elite athletes, providing early boost to the country’s preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The latest payment marks another milestone in the Commission’s efforts to strengthen athletes’ welfare and ensure sustained preparations for major international competitions under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The latest disbursement is the fifth since the introduction of the quarterly training grants policy in 2025 through the NSC’s Elite and Podium Board, and the third payment made in 2026.

With the latest payment, the Commission has now disbursed more than ₦1 billion in training grants to Nigerian elite athletes over the past two years.

The initiative provides quarterly grants of $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000 to athletes, depending on their performance and eligibility under the scientific performance indicators established by the Elite and Podium Board.

The policy has been widely welcomed by some of the country’s leading athletes, who have described it as a game changer that has significantly improved their preparations for international competitions by providing consistent financial support for their training needs.

Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the initiative reflected the Commission’s commitment to building a sustainable system for sporting success through deliberate investment in athletes.

“There are no accidental successes in sports. This is why the Commission has prioritised the welfare and wellbeing of our athletes as a critical part of our strategy for scientific podium success,” Hon, Olopade said.

He said the training grants were among the key mandates given to the Commission’s leadership by President Tinubu to ensure that Nigerian athletes receive the financial support needed to compete effectively at the highest level.

“I am particularly glad that we have been able to institute this athletes’ training grants policy because it is one of the core mandates Mr President gave to Mallam Shehu Dikko and me, to ensure that we put money in the pockets of Nigerian athletes and prepare them adequately for international competitions like the Olympics.”

“We can only get the best out of our athletes when we take care of them properly. By doing so, they will wear the Green and White of our country with pride and dignity. This is why Mr President has continued to support every policy we have introduced to revamp the sports sector,” he said.

Hon. Olopade added that sustained financial support would enable athletes to concentrate on their training without the distractions of financial uncertainty.

“Our athletes need this money to stay focused on their training so they are not distracted in their preparations for major competitions. And we must not forget that when we take care of our athletes, they will take care of the country with medals,” he added.

The impact of the training grants has continued to reflect in Nigeria’s recent performances at international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where the country emerged as Africa’s leading nation.

The performances of athletes such as Samuel Ogazi and Nathaniel Ezekiel, who broke world records, further highlighted the benefits of sustained investment in elite sports development.

Team Nigeria’s impressive outing at the 2025 Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia also underscored the importance of consistent support for athletes as the country intensifies preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The NSC said the training grants remain a central component of its strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s elite sports system, improve international competitiveness and deliver sustained podium success at major global competitions.

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