By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Nigeria’s men’s national volleyball team has strengthened its status as a leading force in West African volleyball after emerging as the highest-ranked side in CAVB Zone 3 in the latest FIVB World Rankings.
The Nigerian team climbed to 52nd position globally with 83.59 ranking points, finishing comfortably ahead of regional rivals Benin, Niger and Côte d’Ivoire following the conclusion of the 2026 CAVB Zone 3 Championship in Abidjan.
The rise follows Nigeria’s impressive performance at the regional championship, where the team secured qualification for the 2026 African Volleyball Nations Championship.
Benin are second in the Zone 3 standings and ranked 69th in the world with 59.42 points. Niger occupy 81st place globally with 48.12 points, while hosts Côte d’Ivoire are 86th with 45.94 points.
Togo are ranked 101st with 36.59 points, followed by Burkina Faso in 116th position with 24.26 points. Ghana and Liberia are yet to earn ranking points in the men’s standings.
In the women’s category, Ghana remain the highest-ranked team in CAVB Zone 3, occupying 51st place in the world with 72.83 points. Côte d’Ivoire are ranked 56th with 63.79 points, while Benin sit 81st with 41.39 points.
Togo are placed 92nd with 31.94 points, followed by Burkina Faso in 103rd position with 27.16 points. Nigeria, Niger and Liberia are currently unranked in the women’s standings.
The updated rankings, which are based on performances in FIVB-recognised international competitions, play a key role in determining seedings and qualification routes for future continental and global tournaments.
Nigeria’s continued rise represents another major milestone for the country’s volleyball programme under the leadership of Engineer Musa Nimrod, as the team builds momentum and strengthens its position on the African stage.
