By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, have hailed Nigeria’s historic qualification for the beach volleyball event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Olopade and Gumel congratulated the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), President Engineer Musa Nimrod, the women’s duo of Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa, and Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, following the landmark achievement in Alexandria, Egypt.
Nigeria defeated Morocco 2-0 (21-17, 21-10) in the final of the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Nations Championship on Saturday to secure the country’s first-ever Olympic qualification in beach volleyball.
Olopade described the feat as a product of strong federation leadership, institutional collaboration and sustained investment in the sport, while specifically commending Nimrod for his persistence in driving volleyball development.
“Congratulations to the Nigeria Volleyball Federation. This is true Federation leadership in true collaboration with the National Sports Commission,” Olopade said.
“I want to specially thank the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for this success. We are grateful for your huge investment in volleyball.”
The NSC Director General also expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential at the Olympics, noting the rapid progress recorded in volleyball and beach volleyball.
“The fast growth of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball is something I have been talking about for months and they are a potential podium team at the Olympics,” he added.
Gumel described the qualification as a remarkable achievement for Nigerian sports, praising Mbah and Bawa for writing their names into the country’s sporting history.
“This is a remarkable achievement and a proud moment for Nigeria. Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa have written their names in the history of Nigerian sports, and we are extremely proud of their determination, commitment and hard work,” Gumel said.
The NOC President also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s support for sports development, while applauding the NSC leadership and CGC Adeniyi for their consistent support for the athletes.
Gumel further recognised Nimrod’s contribution to the growth of volleyball, describing the qualification as an achievement capable of motivating other Nigerian sports federations.
The historic ticket brings an end to a 16-year wait for the NVBF and opens a new chapter in Nigeria’s volleyball history, with Mbah and Bawa now set to represent the country on the Olympic stage in Los Angeles.
