By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The Nigeria Aquatics Federation’s 2026 calendar is expected to boost sports tourism, with swimming competitions, training programmes and governance activities scheduled across more than ten Nigerian cities throughout the year.
The Federation on Monday unveiled its 2026 Programme of Activities, outlining a comprehensive lineup of national championships, age-grade competitions, certification courses and international engagements aimed at deepening the development of aquatics in the country.
Activities will begin in January with a Coaches Training programme in Lagos, designed to strengthen technical capacity at both grassroots and elite levels.
In February, swimming will be one of the featured sports at the 2nd Niger Delta Games, scheduled to hold from February 20 to 27 in Benin.
March will be one of the busiest months on the calendar, with Abuja hosting the Swim to Future Swimming Championship for ages 8 to 14 on March 7, followed by the 1st Abuja Schools Swimming Championship for swimmers aged 15 and under from March 25 to 27.
Ilorin will host the maiden Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Swimming Championship for under-16 swimmers, with the date to be announced, as well as the 1st Quarter Board Meeting.
Other activities scheduled for the month include the 1st South East Regional Swimming Championship in Awka, Anambra State, the North Central Zone Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course in Abuja, and the Abuja Swim Gala for ages 14 and under on March 28.
In April, Lagos will host the Swim for Life National Swimming Championship for swimmers aged 16 and under from April 2 to 4, bringing together young talents from across the country.
International exposure features prominently in May, with Nigerian swimmers set to compete at the Africa Aquatics Combined 2026 Swimming Championships in Accra, Ghana, from May 5 to 10.
The event combines the 17th Senior and Junior Championships, the 1st Africa Aquatics Inter-Zonal Championship and the 2nd African Masters Swimming Championship.
The month will also feature the Swimming Classics Invitational from May 28 to 31, while Abuja is expected to host the National Junior and Senior Swimming Championship (President’s Cup) and the 1st Nigerian Universities Swimming Championship on dates yet to be confirmed.
June will focus on development and administration, with the South East Zone Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course scheduled for Enugu and the 2nd Quarter Board Meeting set for Calabar.
Abuja will host the National Final of the Secondary School Swimming Championship, the Swimming Athlete Education Programme and the Abuja Swim Gala for ages 14 and under on June 27.
The National Swimming Championship will also be staged in Abuja and Lagos during the month.
In July, Kaduna will host the National Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course, followed by the 13th CNS National Swimming Championships in Port Harcourt. Nigerian swimmers will also represent the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Lagos will host the National Swimming Intermediate Games for under-17 swimmers in August. September activities include the 10th National Youth Games in Asaba, the 3rd Quarter Board Meeting in Abuja, the Under-15 Age Group Swimming Championship in Kaduna, and the Abuja Swim Gala for ages 14 and under on September 26.
October will feature the South South Zone Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course in Calabar, while Nigeria will also participate in the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Junior and Senior Swimming Championship in Dakar, Senegal.
In November, Abuja will host the 2026 National Girl-Child Swimming Championship on November 11. Nigerian swimmers are also scheduled to compete at the 4th Youth Olympic Games from November 1 to 13 in Dakar, Senegal.
The month will further feature the National Inter-Secondary School Swimming Championship Finals in Asaba and the 23rd National Sports Festival in Enugu.
The 2026 calendar will conclude in December with the National Senior Swimming Championship in Port Harcourt.
Nigerian swimmers will also compete at the 18th World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) from December 1 to 6 in Beijing, China.
The year will end with the Abuja Swim Gala for ages 14 and under on December 5 and the 4th Quarter Board Meeting on December 15 in Abuja.
The Federation says the programme reflects its commitment to grassroots development, technical excellence, athlete education and increased international competitiveness, while strengthening Nigeria’s presence in African and global aquatics.
