Nigerian fencing struggles with visibility – Federation President, Adeyinka Samuel

Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigerian Fencing Federation, has voiced concerns over the sport’s limited visibility in Nigeria, which he believes has stunted its growth, despite his ongoing efforts to elevate its profile.

A seasoned sports administrator, Samuel returned to Nigeria with a mission to advance fencing. During a media briefing, he discussed the federation’s progress and challenges, highlighting the strides made since he assumed office. While acknowledging several achievements, Samuel emphasized that many initiatives remain stalled due to funding issues and the sport’s low public awareness.

“My passion for fencing brought me back to Nigeria, and I’m committed to developing the sport. From my experience as an athlete, I see the need to provide a platform for fencers. The benefits of sports participation are clear, especially with the diversity seen in Olympic events. My goal is to inspire and motivate others in fencing,” Samuel stated.

He identified visibility as a major challenge. “Although we’ve made progress, our efforts aren’t as visible as those in other sports. Since 2018, we’ve hosted three international tournaments, including two African Championships and a World Tournament. We aim to keep hosting significant events to position Nigeria as a leading fencing hub in Africa, which will attract more major tournaments.”

Samuel noted that countries like Tunisia and Egypt have recently gained international recognition in fencing, with both winning medals at the Paris Olympics. “Comparing our progress with theirs, it’s clear we have room to improve,” he observed.

Looking ahead, Samuel announced that Nigeria will host the World Cup, featuring 155 nations, and an African Championship in June/July 2026, with dates yet to be confirmed. “We plan to host these tournaments regularly. We’re also strong contenders to host the 2026 Commonwealth Championship, which was previously canceled due to a lack of participants. If fencing returns to the Commonwealth Games, Nigeria will likely be the host, a major achievement for the country and the continent.”

Despite ongoing financial and sponsorship challenges, Samuel remains optimistic. “We’re focused on four key pillars: hosting international championships, educating and motivating 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 is confident that by addressing visibility issues, fencing in Nigeria will gain the recognition it deserves, standing alongside more popular sports in the country.