Nigeria have qualified for the beach volleyball event of the Olympic Games for the first time following the women team’s triumph at the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Nations Championship in Alexandria, Egypt on Saturday evening.
The pair of Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa secured the historic ticket after defeating Morocco 2-0 in women’s final, completing a breakthrough Nigeria had chased for 16 years.
The Nigerians controlled the contest to emerge African champions and secure the country’s place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, described the achievement as the reward for years of persistence after Nigeria had previously fallen short in three finals.
“I wish to congratulate Nigerians and thank God. This is the fourth time we are going into the finals; we finished in second place on three occasions,” Nimrod said.
“God has done it for us on our fourth trial and given us victory. It is not the Nigeria Volleyball Federation’s success alone but the entire nation.
“I want to say that after all these 16 years, today God has made it possible for the federation.”
Nimrod also acknowledged the support of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Adewale Adeniyi, for their contributions to the development of volleyball in the country.
The historic qualification also attracted commendation from Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, and President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel.
Olopade praised the leadership of the NVBF and highlighted the role played by the Nigeria Customs Service in supporting the federation.
“Congratulations to the Nigeria Volleyball Federation. This is true federation leadership in true collaboration with the National Sports Commission,” Olopade said.
“I want to specially thank the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for this success. We are grateful for your huge investment in volleyball.”
The NSC Director-General believes the achievement is further evidence of the progress Nigerian volleyball has made and backed the country to become competitive at the Olympics.
“The fast growth of volleyball and beach volleyball is something I have been talking about for months and they are a potential podium team at the Olympics,” he added.
Gumel also congratulated Mbah and Bawa for writing their names into Nigerian sporting history.
“This is a remarkable achievement and a proud moment for Nigeria. Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa have written their names in the history of Nigerian sports, and we are extremely proud of their determination, commitment and hard work,” the NOC president said.
Gumel attributed the qualification to the collective support given to Nigerian athletes, including that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the NSC and the Nigeria Customs Service.
“This qualification is a testament to the support of our sports-loving President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are proud that this historic qualification is happening during his administration,” he said.
“I want to appreciate the Chairman and DG of the National Sports Commission, as well as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for their support to these players, which made this achievement and qualification possible. This qualification will serve as a motivation for other sports federations.”
Gumel also praised Nimrod, who doubles as President of the CAVB Beach Volleyball Commission, for his contribution to the growth of the sport.
The qualification ends Nigeria’s long wait for an Olympic appearance in beach volleyball and makes Mbah and Bawa the first Nigerian beach volleyball players to earn a place at the Games.
Attention will now turn to preparations for Los Angeles 2028, where Nigeria will make its Olympic debut in the event.
