By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The Nigeria Customs Service has thrown its weight behind the appointment of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation’s new Technical Adviser, Ryan Masajedi, expressing confidence that the experienced coach will usher in a new era for the sport in the country.
Head of Sports at the Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, gave the assurance on Wednesday after observing Masajedi’s first training session with the national senior women’s team in Abuja. He described the foreign tactician as a coach with vast international experience and the capacity to elevate Nigerian volleyball to greater heights.
“We are delighted to welcome Coach Ryan Masajedi to Nigeria. He has a wealth of experience and we believe he will add great value to our volleyball programme,” Onikeku said.
He added that Nigeria possesses enormous volleyball talent and stressed that the right technical guidance and structure could position the country as a dominant force on the continent.
“Nigeria has an abundance of raw talent, and with the right technical guidance and structure, we can dominate volleyball in Africa,” he stated.
The seasoned sports administrator also urged the players to maximise the opportunity of working with Masajedi by remaining committed, disciplined and focused on achieving success.
Also speaking during the visit, board member representing the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN), Chinedu Onikeku, charged the national women’s team to maintain discipline and dedication as preparations intensify for the 2026 African Nations Women’s Championship in Kenya.
The 2003 All Africa Games gold medallist expressed confidence in the team’s ability to make the country proud on the continental stage.
“The players must remain diligent, disciplined and committed throughout the camping period. They have the talent to make a huge impact at the African Nations Championship in Kenya, and I believe they can achieve something special if they work together as a team,” she said.
Fresh from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where Team Nigeria finished seventh on the medals table, Samuel and Chinedu Onikeku visited the team’s training camp in Abuja to officially welcome Masajedi and boost the morale of the players ahead of the championship.
