In a rousing testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visionary leadership, Nigeria is dominating the African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Mauritius—an achievement credited to deliberate reforms in the nation’s sports administration.
President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, speaking from Moka, Mauritius, hailed Tinubu’s appointment of seasoned technocrats to head the National Sports Commission (NSC) as the game-changing move behind the country’s weightlifting success.
As of Thursday evening, Team Nigeria leads the medal table with 10 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze—an outstanding result powered by the likes of Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele, who clinched three golds in a single evening to assert her dominance.
“President Tinubu was intentional. He chose leaders with a track record, and it’s showing in our results,” Abdul noted, referencing NSC chiefs Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade. “This is no coincidence. The NSC gave us everything we needed to succeed.”
From financial incentives to personal camaraderie with athletes, Abdul says the new leadership brought passion, professionalism, and purpose. “Our athletes felt seen, valued, and supported—and they performed like warriors.”
With Nigeria now the team to beat, it’s clear: a strategic reboot of sports leadership is already delivering golden results.
