By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Musa Nimrod, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the growth and development of volleyball in Nigeria, declaring that his passion for the sport remains the driving force behind its remarkable progress.
Speaking with journalists during the ongoing 2026 Division One and Two Volleyball League in Abuja, Nimrod said the federation remains focused on grassroots development, talent discovery, and expanding the reach of the sport across the country.
According to him, the federation’s next major event is the Beach Volleyball Championship scheduled to hold in Kaduna immediately after the conclusion of the league.
Nimrod acknowledged that funding remains one of the biggest challenges facing sports development but stressed that determination and strategic partnerships have kept volleyball moving forward.
“People always ask where the money comes from. This is passion work for me. Even at my age, I still work as an engineer and make sacrifices to ensure volleyball continues to grow,” he said.
The NVBF president commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its consistent support, noting that the current championship marks the third edition of the federation’s partnership with the agency.
He praised the Comptroller-General of Customs and the management team for their commitment to volleyball, expressing confidence that the collaboration would yield even greater achievements in the future.
Highlighting the impact of the federation’s grassroots programmes, Nimrod pointed to the success of several young players who have emerged through the system and gone on to excel at international competitions.
He cited the performances of Nigeria’s female teams in recent continental tournaments, revealing that many of the athletes currently representing the country were nurtured through age-grade development initiatives.
“Our focus has always been on building from the grassroots. The results are evident in the quality of players we are producing and the achievements they are recording internationally,” he said.
Nimrod disclosed that preparations are underway to complete a new beach volleyball facility ahead of the African School Games, which Nigeria is set to host.
He also recalled Nigeria’s historic gold-medal-winning performance in volleyball at the African Youth Games in Algeria, noting that several members of that victorious squad are expected to represent the country again at upcoming youth competitions.
The federation, he added, has consistently invested in grassroots development by providing volleyball equipment to states across the federation.
“At the Ogun State Sports Festival, we distributed volleyballs to all 36 states and the FCT. We have continued that initiative at every major festival because development starts with giving young people the tools to play,” he said.
Reflecting on the federation’s achievements over the past eight years, Nimrod said the decision to prioritise youth development has transformed Nigerian volleyball, with more than 40 Nigerian players now competing professionally abroad.
He further revealed that the NVBF has strengthened collaboration with school sports authorities to identify and nurture young talents through regular competitions and development programmes.
Nimrod noted that several athletes discovered through the federation’s female youth development project are currently playing professionally in countries such as the United States and the Philippines.
He maintained that the federation would continue investing in young players, insisting that sustained grassroots development remains the surest path to ensuring Nigeria’s dominance in African volleyball and its emergence as a force on the global stage.
“We started with a vision to build from the base, and today the results are speaking for themselves. There is no going back,” he said.
