Badminton
Badminton fever spreads to Uromi as Francis Ibhawoh Foundation holds training sessions
After chatting the course to Olympic glory and with the Los Angeles Games in view, badminton is fast spreading like wildfire into every part of Nigeria.
Recently Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) with the support of the continental body, the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) held a coaching course.
Other bodies have taken the baton with the Francis Ibhawoh Foundation taking the lead by organizing training courses for prospective badminton players in secondary schools in Uromi, Edo State.
It was also extended to game masters and mistresses in Uromi in Esan Northeast Local Government Area of Edo state.
The event was held in collaboration with BFN, the Edo State Ministry of Education, and the Edo State Sports Commission and powered by CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative.
The two-day training event involving 69 students from 23 secondary schools, was held at the indoor hall of Esan Model Grammar School on 22 and 23 January 2025.
Three badminton “Shuttle Time” trained coaches, Godswill Ifejika, Olalekan, Fajimiyo, and Blessing Osayomwanbo were on the ground to offer the basic skills to the students.
The badminton outreach for secondary schools’ project is designed to teach game masters and mistresses and the students, the basic skills in Badminton.It is one of the rare training events in sports where students and their teachers learn a sport together at the same time.
The game master of Irrua Girls Secondary School, Ambrose Okonofua remarked that “we were pleased with the training which has impacted positively on us and our students.
“The program has in the last two days engaged the minds of the students and I am confident of seeing world champions emerging from these badminton outreach training events in Nigeria in future.”
Also, one of the coaches, Olalekan Fajimiyo commended the schools for their massive turnout and their show of passion adding that, it was one outreach with very high numbers of participants in attendance at the grassroots level.
Declaring the event closed, the Commissioner of Education who was represented by the Principal of Ujoelen Grammar School, Ekpoma, commended the sponsors for their commitment towards the development of badminton in Edo State and the country in general.
She also applauded the turnout of secondary schools and said that it is a reflection that Edo State is the hub of sports in Nigeria.
She also thanked the Trustees of the Francis Ibhawoh Foundation for bringing badminton to their doorstep.
She expressed the hope that other prominent sons and daughters of Esanland will strive to bring pro-social activities that will have a positive impact on the people of Esanland.
The highlight of the outreach training was the presentation of basic badminton equipment (rackets, nets & shuttles) to all the 23 secondary schools that participated in the outreach training courtesy of Francis Ibhawoh Foundation and CSED Initiative.
It would be recalled that in the past three years, the BFN has embarked on using outreach training and their Shuttle Time training to spread the development of the games in different towns and cities in Nigeria.
This has made BFN to be the most students and teachers friendly sports Federation in Nigeria.
The BFN has also taken the game to IDP Camp Uhogua and specifically trained asylum seekers/refugees on how to play badminton in Ogoja (Cross River State).
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Francis Orbih has been re-elected President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) for a third consecutive term, emerging unopposed at the federation’s elective congress held in Abuja.
Orbih secured all 13 votes cast during the congress, which took place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Monday, March 2. Adamu Alhaji Lawan was also elected as Vice President.
In his acceptance speech, Orbih congratulated the newly elected board members and expressed confidence in their ability to collectively move Nigerian badminton to greater heights.
“I want to congratulate the entire board member and I am confident that we are going to deliver,” Orbih said.
“There is a lot of work to be done. We have had humble achievements in the past. It is time for us to build on what we have achieved and consolidate to take the Federation to greater heights.”
Calling for unity and collaboration, Orbih urged stakeholders to play active roles in strengthening the federation’s programmes and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.
“I am counting on all of you to have your hands on deck because I cannot do it alone. Let us join hands to take the Federation to a level where we’ll be the envy of other sporting federations in Nigeria,” he added. “We have work to do. Whatever you can contribute to the growth and development of the Federation.”
During the inauguration of the new board, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, congratulated Orbih on his re-election and commended the federation for conducting a crisis-free electoral process.
National Sports Commission chairman, Shehu Dikko adresses the new board of the BFN
“I want to congratulate the board members for unanimously re-electing Francis Orbih and having a crisis-free election,” Dikko said.
He urged the president to consolidate on the gains recorded during his previous tenures and to intensify efforts over the next four years.
“Orbih has done well and deserves to be re-elected as a member of the African and World body. He has taken on huge debt by presenting himself as President of BFN, and he doesn’t have any other choice than to continue his good works,” Dikko added.
Orbih’s re-election is expected to provide continuity in the federation’s administration as it seeks to expand grassroots development, improve Nigeria’s international competitiveness and strengthen its presence within continental and global badminton bodies.
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The 2019 Africa Women in Badminton Award winner, Oby Solaja, has been returned for another four-year tenure in the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), reaffirming her enduring influence in the sport’s development.
Solaja’s re-election came during the BFN zonal election held in Enugu, where she emerged as the representative for the South East zone. Delegates affirmed her return in recognition of what officials described as her meritorious contributions to grassroots badminton development across the region.
A former multiple African champion, Solaja was among the global pioneering badminton players to feature at the Olympic Games, carving her name into the sport’s history before transitioning into administration.
Oby Solaja receives a new mandate to contribute to the development of badminton in Nigeria.
After retiring from competitive play, she equipped herself for sports governance by completing the six-module sports administration programme for the CIES/FIFA diploma at Cairo University — a move that strengthened her credentials in sports organisation and leadership.
Grassroots Focus in the Southeast
Over the past four years, Solaja has championed badminton development in Southeastern Nigeria through an annual championship organised in partnership with the Bet9ja Foundation. The tournament, held on a rotational basis across states in the region, has provided a competitive platform for emerging talents and reinforced grassroots participation.
Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Lloyd Ikechukwu Ekweremadu chats with the Southeast Badminton Championship Convener, Oby Edoga-Solaja
Her efforts have been widely credited with expanding the sport’s reach and encouraging youth engagement in badminton within the zone.
Speaking after her confirmation, Solaja pledged renewed vigour in spreading what she described as the “gospel of badminton,” emphasising continuity, talent discovery and structured development pathways.
She also expressed appreciation to Kunle Soname, whose Bet9ja Foundation has supported the propagation of badminton in the Southeast.
With her fresh mandate, stakeholders expect Solaja to consolidate existing programmes while strengthening institutional structures within the federation — a continuation of a journey that began on the court and now thrives in the boardroom.
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The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has etched its name in Nigerian sporting history after its para-badminton star, Eniola Bolaji, rose to World No. 1 in the women’s SL3 category, thus becoming the first athlete under any affiliate of the National Sports Commission to attain the top spot in global rankings.
The latest rankings released on Tuesday, February 17, by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed Bolaji’s ascent to the summit following her historic silver medal finish at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championship in Bahrain.
Historic Rise After World Championship Silver
Bolaji secured her place in history after advancing to the final of the global showpiece, held at the New Capital Hall in Bahrain on February 14. She eventually fell 2–0 (21–12, 21–17) to Japan’s world No. 7, Shino Kawai, but her runner-up finish earned her enough ranking points to dethrone Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh as world number one.
In the process, Bolaji also became the first African athlete to win a silver medal at the World Para Badminton Championship. This is a milestone that underscores Nigeria’s growing footprint in para-sports.
Her ranking surge was further strengthened by her triumph at the Egypt International in January, where she successfully defended her title for the second consecutive year.
Landmark Moment for Nigerian Sport
President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, described Bolaji’s achievement as a defining moment for Nigerian and African sports.
“This is the biggest news of the year, Eniola Bolaji claiming the World No. 1 spot following her participation in the 2024 Paralympic Games. She would likely have attained this position earlier if she had competed in more tournaments last year,” Orbih said.
“She regained full stability last season and has carried that momentum into this year, already featuring in two major tournaments with outstanding performances.”
Bolaji’s achievement places the BFN ahead of other federations under the National Sports Commission in producing a world number one athlete, which is a testament to what observers describe as deliberate investment, structured athlete development, and sustained technical support within the federation.
Powered by GIG, Eniola Bolaji has attained an enviable height
Structured Support Paying Dividends
Orbih credited the progress of para-badminton in Nigeria to coordinated backing from multiple stakeholders.
“This achievement is also a testament to the support and resources committed to para badminton by the National Sports Commission, the Abia State Government, and GIG Logistics. Their continued backing has created the enabling environment for our athletes to train, compete, and excel on the global stage,” he noted.
Despite narrowly missing out on gold in Bahrain, the BFN President praised Bolaji’s resilience and consistency at the elite level.
“I know many Nigerians were expecting another gold medal, but we must recognise that other players are equally determined to dethrone her. She has now become the first African to win a silver medal at the Para-Badminton World Championship,” Orbih added.
A New Benchmark for Nigerian Federations
Bolaji’s ascent to the top of the global rankings marks more than a personal triumph; it signals a structural breakthrough for Nigerian sport.
For decades, Nigerian athletes have achieved continental dominance and occasional global podium finishes, but reaching World No. 1 status — particularly in a ranking-driven sport governed by transparent international metrics — represents a new benchmark.
As Bolaji prepares for upcoming tournaments, the federation has pledged continued technical and logistical support to sustain her dominance.
With a World No. 1 athlete now flying Nigeria’s flag, the Badminton Federation of Nigeria has set a new standard — not only for para-sport development, but for all federations under the National Sports Commission aspiring to global excellence.
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