Sports

The Game of New Thinking: How Federation Secretaries Are Powering a New Era for Nigerian Sports

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2025

Joel Ajayi

There is a quiet revolution happening in Nigerian sports. At the heart of it is a bold new strategy by the National Sports Commission (NSC), and it’s beginning to yield tangible dividends. This new thinking has found expression in one of the most critical layers of the sports ecosystem—the secretaries of national sports federations.

In a move that industry observers have hailed as both strategic and timely, the NSC recently executed a major shakeup—reassigning secretaries to federations where their expertise, passion, and vision align more closely with the goals of each sport. The results are already turning heads.

One shining example is the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), where a newly launched initiative, Raising Athletics Champions Everywhere (RACE), is making waves. The project led by AFN Secretary Isreal Inwang, RACE has been approved for grant funding by World Athletics—a significant endorsement of Nigeria’s reimagined approach to grassroots sports development.

The project aims to increase grassroots participation in athletics among children aged 6 to 14 by integrating the Kids’ Athletics program into schools nationwide.

It will train 1,000 Physical Education (PE) teachers, establish sustainable athletics clubs in primary and secondary schools to engage 4,000 children, and implement a nationwide tracking system to monitor young athletes’ progression from beginner to elite level.

By reaching 774 schools per year, the project promotes inclusive access to athletics, develops young talent, and aligns with the World Plan for Athletics by expanding participation and embedding athletics into the education system.

With the right leadership and support as offered by the NSC and sports federations themselves , secretaries can drive innovation, foster talent development, and position their sports for local and international success.

These moves will see improved outcomes at respective federations.

In cricket, the Nigerian U-19 team delivered a historic performance at the World Cup, finishing 5th globally—an unprecedented feat for a country previously considered a minor player in the sport. That success didn’t just happen overnight. It was the result of meticulous planning and renewed vigor at the Nigeria Cricket Federation, where the new secretary has been instrumental in laying a foundation for global competitiveness.

Basketball, too, has seen a resurgence. After a sluggish start to the AfroBasket qualifiers, D’Tigers mounted a remarkable comeback to secure their qualification. The turnaround was not merely athletic—it was administrative. Behind the scenes, strategic planning and robust support from the federation’s secretariat played a pivotal role in ensuring Nigeria remained on course.

In para-badminton, Nigeria’s athletes soared in international circuits, clinching medals in Spain’s Toledo and Victoria tournaments, and shining again at the African Championships in Cameroon. Table tennis has followed suit, with Nigeria impressing at the ITTF circuit, securing qualification and further cementing its place as a continental powerhouse.

Meanwhile, the nation’s Paralympic athletes are proving their mettle as well—three gold medals have already been secured in Jordan at the time of reporting. These successes point to a consistent theme: sports federations are becoming better organized, more visionary, and increasingly result-driven.

Much of this transformation can be traced back to the leadership at the NSC. Under Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade, the Commission has embraced “positive disruption” as a guiding principle. Their mandate to restructure, refocus, and reset the Nigerian sports sector is paying off—not just in medals and rankings, but in restored confidence.

And indeed, they are delivering. Last month, a national age-grade swimming tournament was organized to spotlight and nurture young talent. It is part of a broader commitment to long-term planning—a shift from reactive sports administration to a sustainable model built around discovery, development, and discipline.

In this unfolding story of renewal, the federation secretaries are not just placeholders —they are visionaries, architects of a better future for Nigerian sports. Thanks to their passion, initiative, and unwavering commitment, the game of new thinking is no longer just a slogan. It is a movement—one that is powering Nigerian sports to new heights.

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Kudos to Nigeria’s First Lady, Customs, Others – CAVB Officials

Published

15 hours ago

April 16, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says Nigeria is safe for international tournaments

By Joel Ajayi
In defiance of longstanding international perceptions suggesting Nigeria is unsafe, the recently concluded African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship in Abuja has rewritten the narrative. Officials from across the continent have hailed Nigeria as one of the safest places to host international tournaments.

The curtain has officially fallen on the competition, and once again, Egyptian giants Zamalek SC have made history—clinching their third consecutive title with a thrilling 3-1 victory over fierce rivals Al-Ahly. The final, held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium’s Indoor Arena on Sunday, April 13, 2025, was an electrifying encounter with set scores of 29-27, 22-25, 25-20, and 25-22.

In interviews conducted in Abuja, officials from the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) expressed immense satisfaction with the event and extended heartfelt appreciation to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; the Nigeria Customs Service; the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF); and all Nigerians whose efforts ensured the success of the tournament.

They praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu for championing women’s causes and for her role as the grand patron of the competition. Commendation also went to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and NVBF President, Musa Nimrod, for organizing what was widely described as a world-class event.

CAVB President, Bouchra Hajij, who also serves as the first Vice President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), was full of praise for the hosts. She lauded the organization and the facilities provided, particularly by the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that Nigeria—and Africa at large—is more than capable of hosting high-level international competitions.

“We had hundreds of countries from all continents following this event online. Nigeria has proven itself as a safe country, equipped with top-class infrastructure and facilities,” Hajij stated. “With 16 teams from across Africa, everything went smoothly. I hope in the coming years, Nigeria will host more African championships—whether indoor or beach volleyball.”

She also extended gratitude to the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the media for their vital roles in the success of the championship, emphasizing the importance of media coverage in growing the sport.

Bai Dodou Jallow, President of the Gambia Volleyball Federation and Deputy President of the Kenya Volleyball Federation, also lauded the organizers. “With what we’ve seen from the NVBF and the Customs, this competition was held at the highest standard for women’s volleyball in Africa. The environment and organization were excellent,” he said. “Africa, especially black African countries, can now confidently compete at the global level.”

He called on the private sector to support volleyball in Nigeria and across Africa to ensure continued progress.

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Volleyball Club Technical Director, Paul Bitok, revealed his club plans to host the competition in 2026 after drawing inspiration from Nigeria’s hosting. “This is the best tournament I’ve witnessed in over 20 years of attending. Customs have proven they can host major competitions beyond Africa,” Bitok said.

Medical delegate from Benin Republic, Boni Nadege, described the tournament as “a celebration of women,” thanking the First Lady and Nigeria Customs for a well-organized event. “This proves that black African countries can also host major competitions to promote volleyball. We may not have reached the finals, but we’ve learned a lot.”

A delegate from Malawi, Japier Mhango, expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerian government and its people. “Our stay has been exceptional. We’ve been well taken care of, and this has been a well-organized tournament. The level of competition was impressive.”

As the final whistle sounded, Nigeria didn’t just host a volleyball championship—it hosted the continent, redefined perceptions, and reminded the world of its capability and hospitality.

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