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Official Press StatementMarch 2026Media & Communications DepartmentNigeria Aquatics Federation The Nigeria Aquatics Federation wishes to inform stakeholders, participating clubs, athletes, coaches, partners, and members of the media that the “Swim to the Future” programme originally scheduled to hold from March 6–7, 2026, has been officially rescheduled, while the National Junior Swimming Championship – “Swim for Life” has been postponed to a later date. According to the federation, the decision was taken following recent developments within the aquatic community and the need to ensure the successful organisation of both events. “Swim to the Future” Rescheduled in Honour of Late Federation President The federation confirmed that the rescheduling of the “Swim to the Future” initiative follows the passing of the President of the federation, Dr. Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu, who died on March 7, 2026. Dr. Dunkwu, who served as the sole sponsor of the initiative, was widely regarded as a passionate advocate for youth development and the advancement of aquatic sports in Nigeria. Under his leadership, the federation intensified efforts toward grassroots talent discovery, athlete development, and increased participation in swimming across the country. The federation stated that the event will now take place on a new date in April 2026 as a tribute to the late president and in recognition of his enduring contributions and legacy within Nigerian aquatics. Officials described the initiative as one of Dr. Dunkwu’s most impactful developmental projects aimed at creating opportunities for young swimmers and inspiring the next generation of athletes. “Swim for Life” Championship Postponed The Nigeria Aquatics Federation also announced the postponement of the “Swim for Life” National Junior Swimming Championship. According to the federation, the postponement is intended to allow for: The federation reiterated its commitment to organising a world-class competitive platform that meets high standards for junior swimmers from across Nigeria. New dates for both competitions will be officially communicated through the federation’s verified communication platforms and media channels. Federation Appreciates Stakeholders The Nigeria Aquatics Federation expressed appreciation to athletes, clubs, coaches, technical officials, sponsors, partners, and the wider aquatic community for their patience, understanding, and continued support during this period. The federation noted that the aquatic community continues to reflect on the life, service, and vision of Dr. Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu, whose leadership and dedication played a significant role in the growth of aquatics in Nigeria. Officials added that the federation remains committed to sustaining his vision of developing aquatic sports and empowering young athletes nationwide. Looking Ahead Despite the temporary schedule adjustments, the federation assured stakeholders that preparations remain ongoing for upcoming national and international competitions, development programmes, and athlete support initiatives. The Nigeria Aquatics Federation says it remains focused on strengthening the future of aquatic sports in the country while continuing to build opportunities for emerging swimmers and the next generation of Nigerian champions.

May 1, 2026Press ReleaseBy Arinzechi ChukwunonsoMedia & Communications, Nigeria Aquatics Federation The Nigeria Aquatics Federation has officially unveiled the national swimming team that will represent Nigeria at the 17th Africa Aquatics Championships scheduled to take place in Oran, Algeria, from May 5–10, 2026. The Nigerian delegation consists of eight swimmers and two officials, who will compete against some of Africa’s top aquatic athletes in one of the continent’s premier swimming championships. The federation expressed confidence in the team’s preparation, commitment, and readiness to proudly represent Nigeria on the continental stage. Team Nigeria – Swimming Squad Swimmers Officials Spotlight on Emerging Talent Among the athletes selected for the championships is 16-year-old India Kate Brown, a UK-based swimmer representing Nigeria internationally. Brown, who trains at the prestigious Mount Kelly Swim Academy, continues to emerge as one of Nigeria’s exciting young swimming prospects. She holds a personal best time of 2:22.01 in the 200m Butterfly and recently recorded 2:22.60, performances that place her among the swimmers to watch at the championships in Algeria. Her selection into Team Nigeria highlights the federation’s growing commitment to talent development and international athlete integration. Diaspora Athlete Initiative Driving Growth The inclusion of diaspora-based athletes in the national team reflects the continued impact of the Invited Diaspora Athletes (IDA) Initiative introduced by the National Sports Commission. The initiative, championed by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, aims to strengthen Nigerian sports by integrating Nigerian-born and Nigerian-descended athletes living abroad into the country’s high-performance sports system. Officials believe the programme is already contributing positively to the development and competitiveness of Nigerian aquatics on the international stage. Nigeria Ready for Continental Challenge The Africa Aquatics Championships will feature elite swimmers from across the continent and serve as an important platform for athletes to compete at the highest African level while gaining valuable international experience. The Nigeria Aquatics Federation stated that the team has undergone extensive preparation ahead of the competition and remains focused on delivering strong performances for the country. The federation also reiterated its commitment to athlete development, technical growth, and building a stronger future for aquatic sports in Nigeria. As Team Nigeria heads to Algeria, expectations remain high for another positive outing as the nation continues its steady rise in African aquatics.

The Nigeria Aquatics Federation has received major continental recognition after being named the Fastest Developing Federation in Africa by Africa Aquatics at the conclusion of the 17th Africa Aquatics Championships in Oran, Algeria. The prestigious honour crowned an impressive outing for Team Nigeria at the continental championship held from 5–10 May 2026, where Nigerian swimmers delivered outstanding performances, secured three bronze medals, and recorded several personal and season-best times against some of Africa’s strongest competitors. The award reflects Nigeria’s rapid growth in aquatic sports and acknowledges the federation’s continued investment in athlete development, grassroots programmes, technical improvements, and international exposure opportunities for swimmers. Strong Performances for Team Nigeria One of Nigeria’s standout athletes at the championships was rising swimmer India Kate Brown, who captured a bronze medal in the Girls’ 100m Butterfly after finishing with an impressive time of 1:05.73. In the senior category, Collins Ebinga delivered a strong performance in the Men’s 100m Butterfly Final, placing fifth with a time of 54.92 seconds in one of the championship’s most competitive races, narrowly missing a podium finish. Meanwhile, sprint specialist Clinton Opute recorded a new personal best of 22.94 seconds in the Men’s 50m Freestyle Final, further underlining Nigeria’s growing competitiveness in sprint swimming events at the continental level. Young swimmer Ivan Ijomoni also impressed during the competition, continuing to demonstrate the strength of Nigeria’s emerging generation of athletes and the federation’s expanding talent pipeline. Recognition for Nigeria’s Growth in Aquatics The continental recognition awarded to Nigeria highlights the significant progress made by the federation in recent years. According to officials, the federation’s recent successes have been driven by: The federation credited much of this progress to the continued support and reforms introduced by the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade. These reforms previously contributed to Nigeria’s historic performance at the 16th Africa Aquatics Championships in Cairo, Egypt, where Nigerian swimmers broke African records and secured a landmark silver medal performance on the international stage. Federation Appreciates Stakeholders Officials of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation expressed appreciation to: for their contributions and commitment throughout the championship campaign in Algeria. Looking Ahead With continental recognition, podium finishes, and several promising performances from both senior and junior athletes, Nigeria leaves Oran with renewed confidence ahead of future regional and global competitions. The federation says it remains committed to building a sustainable high-performance aquatics system capable of producing world-class athletes and positioning Nigeria among Africa’s leading aquatic nations. As Nigerian swimming continues to rise, the performances in Oran represent another important milestone in the country’s growing journey on the international aquatics stage.