Tijani Fadilat Morenikeji, an advanced coaching student at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) and a dedicated female boxer, spoke with Sports247 about her motivations and future aspirations during the Nigeria Olympic Women’s Commission Program held on International Women’s Day.
Reflecting on the event, Morenikeji said, “It was a very short program, but I can say it’s awesome because we enjoyed ourselves. We played football, took part in some medical tests, and overall, it was a nice program.”
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When asked what International Women’s Day means to her, she explained, “I think the day is all about celebrating women—international women, all over the world. That’s my little understanding of it.”
Sharing her personal sports journey, Morenikeji recalled her early days in boxing: “I started as a novice, and my first competition was in 2009 where I won a gold medal. That success motivated me to pursue boxing seriously. Since then, I have participated in many international competitions. My record in amateur boxing is something I’m proud of.”
Morenikeji, who played her last festival game in 2021 before returning to Nigeria and turning professional, added, “I want to be an intelligent coach in the future. That’s why I joined NIS—to learn more about coaching.”
When asked to inspire young women and girls, she passionately stated, “Today is our day as women, and you know, we are the salt of the earth. I want every girl to know that they have the power to rise, both in sports and in life.”
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