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By Bolaji Okunola
Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigerian Fencing Federation, has expressed concern that the sport’s lack of visibility has hindered its progress, despite his commitment to enhancing its image and popularity in Nigeria.
Returning to Nigeria to advance the sport, Samuel, a distinguished sports administrator, shared his thoughts during a media briefing aimed at highlighting the federation’s achievements and challenges. He detailed the federation’s progress since he took office a few years ago, noting that while several accomplishments have been made, more activities are still pending due to funding constraints and limited public awareness.
Samuel explained, “My passion for fencing brought me back to Nigeria, and I’m determined to develop the sport. Speaking from my experience as an athlete, I recognize the need for a platform for fencers. There are numerous benefits to participating in sports, as demonstrated by the diverse range of events at the Olympics. My goal is to inspire and motivate others in fencing.”
He continued, “One major challenge we face is visibility. Although we are making strides, our efforts are not as visible compared to other sports. Since 2018, we’ve hosted three international tournaments, including two African Championships and a World Tournament.
Our goal is to continue hosting such significant events, establishing Nigeria as a leading fencing hub in Africa, which will help us attract more major tournaments.”
Samuel pointed out that other African countries, like Tunisia and Egypt, have recently gained international recognition in fencing, with Tunisia and Egypt winning medals at the Paris Olympics. “When we compare our progress with theirs, it’s clear we have room to grow,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Samuel highlighted that Nigeria will host the World Cup, which will feature 155 nations, and an African Championship in June/July 2026, with exact dates yet to be confirmed. “We aim to host these tournaments regularly. We are also a strong contender to host the 2026 Commonwealth Championship, which was previously removed due to a lack of participating nations. If fencing returns to the Commonwealth Games, Nigeria will likely be the host, a significant achievement for the country and the continent.”
He emphasized the federation’s ongoing efforts, despite challenges. “We operate based on four key pillars: hosting international championships, motivating and educating the public, developing youth talent into elite fencers, and grassroots development. Since 2017, our grassroots program has reached underprivileged communities, training over 200 children and providing scholarships to ten talented individuals.”
Samuel acknowledged the ongoing challenges related to finances and sponsorship but remained optimistic. “Despite these challenges and the lack of visibility, we’ve achieved significant milestones. I’m confident that once we address the visibility issue, fencing will gain the recognition it deserves alongside other popular sports in Nigeria.”
