By Alex Fredrick
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has congratulated Nigeria’s wrestlers for their exceptional performance at the just-concluded 2025 Senior African Wrestling Championships held in Morocco.
Team Nigeria emerged as the overall tournament winner with a remarkable haul of 10 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal, fielding a contingent of just 15 athletes. The female team continued their dominance, clinching the overall title for the 14th time with an impressive nine gold medals.
Notably, Nigeria reclaimed its place as African champion in men’s wrestling for the first time in four years, thanks to former junior international Steve Simon Izolo, who delivered a gold-medal performance—further cementing Nigeria’s commanding status on the African wrestling scene.
The Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, praised the team’s achievements and assured them that their success will not go unnoticed.
“This is another display of the resilient power of our great country. On behalf of Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I want to thank the athletes and their officials. Based on the mandate Mr. President gave us, we are determined to ensure our athletes are well motivated and rewarded within a sustainable sports ecosystem. Our goal is to secure a sustainable and transitional success plan for all our sports,” Dikko said.
The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, also commended the athletes and praised the leadership of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, led by Daniel Igali.
“The success we are seeing in wrestling is no coincidence when you consider the quality and leadership of President Daniel Igali, whose passion, dedication, and international network have transformed the sport,” Olopade noted.
“We are very intentional about the welfare of our athletes, and Mr. President has given us full support to ensure that Nigerian athletes enjoy the dividends of wearing the green and white. I also want to thank the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), for his moral and financial support, which contributed to this success. He has consistently supported the growth of Nigerian sports beyond wrestling,” he added.
Signed:
Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi, FCAI, ANIPR
Director (Information and PR)
May 5, 2025
