President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Team Nigeria for its outstanding performance at the 2026 African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, where the country secured a record 15th continental title in the women’s category.
The President described the achievement as a reflection of discipline, consistency, and national pride, noting that Nigerian wrestlers have continued to assert their dominance on the African stage.
Nigeria recorded 8 gold and 2 silver medals in the women’s division and finished with a total haul of 9 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals across all categories. President Tinubu said the result demonstrates both elite performance and depth within the team.
He specifically commended standout athletes including Mercy Genesis, Adijat Idris, Esther Asaolu, and Mercy Adekuoroye for their composure and technical excellence. He also praised Harrison Onovwiomogbhwo for his victory in the men’s freestyle category, alongside other contributors such as Ebierelayefa Andrew, Stephen Akintewe, Dideikemei Erefagha, Solomon Ulabo, and Saviour Egoli.
President Tinubu attributed the success to ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s sports sector, noting the role of the National Sports Commission under Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, alongside sports federations and coaches, in strengthening athlete development and performance structures.
“This is how a sporting nation grows, not by accident, not by chance, but by design,” the President said, emphasizing the importance of early talent identification, structured preparation, and sustained development.
He also commended the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, led by Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for its leadership in maintaining Nigeria’s continental dominance in wrestling.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sports development, President Tinubu said such victories go beyond medals, serving as symbols of national unity, youth empowerment, and global representation. He urged the athletes to remain focused and disciplined as they prepare for future international competitions.
The 2026 African Wrestling Championships remains one of the continent’s premier sporting events, showcasing top wrestling talent from across Africa.
