Badminton
Francis Orbih’s Badminton Board Gets Winning Start
BY CHINWE EDOGA.
An unranked Nigeria’s Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori has won this year’s Men’s singles event of the Ivory Coast International Badminton Tournament which ended in Abidjan on Sunday.
He was the best among 65 players from 11 countries across the world.
The allure of Nigeria’s performance was that there were three Nigerians among the four on the podium for the Men’s singles title. Not just that it was almost a clean sweep by Nigeria in the Mixed Doubles Event.
The pair of Enejoh Abah and Peace Orji defeated another Nigerian pair of Gideon Babalola and Uchechukwu Ukeh 21-18; 21-18 thus making Nigeria to win gold and silver medals.
Another Nigerian pair of Jafar Salih Umar and Zainab Momoh won the bronze medal along with Ghana’s Emmanuel Yaw Donkor and Stella Kote Amasah.
In all, the Nigerian contingent won two gold, two silver and four bronze medals.
In the Men’s Singles title, Nigeria’s Opeyori beat Jordanian Bahaedeen Ahmad Alshannik 21-18; 21-16 in the keenly contested final duel to give the Francis Orbih’s board of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), a winning start.
When it was becoming a near impossibility for Nigeria to send a team, Francis Orbih, the BFN president-elect had to swing into action and successfully got sponsorship package from the Lagos State Government to send a 25-man Nigerian team to the tournament.
An elated Orbih told Sports Village Square that he could not wait to be sworn in before swinging into action as he had promised to raise the standard of badminton during his tenure.
He along with his board members and the boards of other sports federations will be sworn in next week Monday in Abuja.
“I am really grateful to Governor Ambode for his magnanimity in sponsoring the team despite a very short notice given to him.
“Little wonder, things are working in Lagos as an action man is at the helms.
“I am sure, he will be very glad that his efforts have not been in vain”, remarked Orbih.
He told the Sports Village Square, that he would not have allowed vacuum to occur by waiting to be sworn in before ensuring the attendance of a Nigerian team in an international tournament that will not only give them good exposure, but also help in the overall ranking of Nigerian players.
He concluded that it would have amounted to big disservice, if he had failed to facilitate the performance of the Nigerian team in Abidjan. The team will move to Benin Republic to begin another campaign for honours on Wednesday.
He was particularly elated at the success of Anuoluwapo Opeyori, a player he personally discovered as the chairman of Lagos State Badminton Association.
“Our participation in the West Africa Badminton Circuit was preceded by a three-week closed camp for the 27 Nigerian players made up of nine female and 18 male players.
“We can see what camping does to players, instead of merely calling them up for trips to tournaments’, said Orbih.
On his way to glory, Opeyori beat Ghana’s Abraham Ayittey 22-20; 21-19 before having to face a Nigerian, Habeeb Temitope Bello in the next round. He won 21-19; 21-16.
His most challenging game was against Nigeria’s Gideon Babalola, pointing out the great strength of the Nigerian team. It was perhaps, Opeyori’s toughest match. He lost the first game 15-21 and was leading the second 6-3 before Babalola scratched owing to injury.
He then moved on to dispatch Ghana’s Daniel Sam 27-25; 21-11 to move to the final.
Opeyori was not the only successful Nigerian at the tournament. The duo of Clement Krobakpo and Gideon Babalola are joint third place winners in the men’s singles event. In badminton, the two semi final losers are automatic third place winners.
In the women’s singles, Nigeria’s Dorcas Ajoke Adesokan, ranked 296 in the world, was a third place winner with Egypt’s Hadia Hosny who is number 87 in the world.
In women’s doubles, the Nigerian duo of Zainab Momoh and Peace Orji were final losers to India’s Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker. The score lines were 21-11; 21-14 in favour of the Indians. Nigeria however won the silver while another Nigerian pair of Patricia Apusugh and Amin Yop Christopher won the bronze medal.
Francis Orbih has been re-elected President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) for a third consecutive term, emerging unopposed at the federation’s elective congress held in Abuja.
Orbih secured all 13 votes cast during the congress, which took place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Monday, March 2. Adamu Alhaji Lawan was also elected as Vice President.
In his acceptance speech, Orbih congratulated the newly elected board members and expressed confidence in their ability to collectively move Nigerian badminton to greater heights.
“I want to congratulate the entire board member and I am confident that we are going to deliver,” Orbih said.
“There is a lot of work to be done. We have had humble achievements in the past. It is time for us to build on what we have achieved and consolidate to take the Federation to greater heights.”
Calling for unity and collaboration, Orbih urged stakeholders to play active roles in strengthening the federation’s programmes and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.
“I am counting on all of you to have your hands on deck because I cannot do it alone. Let us join hands to take the Federation to a level where we’ll be the envy of other sporting federations in Nigeria,” he added. “We have work to do. Whatever you can contribute to the growth and development of the Federation.”
During the inauguration of the new board, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, congratulated Orbih on his re-election and commended the federation for conducting a crisis-free electoral process.
National Sports Commission chairman, Shehu Dikko adresses the new board of the BFN
“I want to congratulate the board members for unanimously re-electing Francis Orbih and having a crisis-free election,” Dikko said.
He urged the president to consolidate on the gains recorded during his previous tenures and to intensify efforts over the next four years.
“Orbih has done well and deserves to be re-elected as a member of the African and World body. He has taken on huge debt by presenting himself as President of BFN, and he doesn’t have any other choice than to continue his good works,” Dikko added.
Orbih’s re-election is expected to provide continuity in the federation’s administration as it seeks to expand grassroots development, improve Nigeria’s international competitiveness and strengthen its presence within continental and global badminton bodies.
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The 2019 Africa Women in Badminton Award winner, Oby Solaja, has been returned for another four-year tenure in the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), reaffirming her enduring influence in the sport’s development.
Solaja’s re-election came during the BFN zonal election held in Enugu, where she emerged as the representative for the South East zone. Delegates affirmed her return in recognition of what officials described as her meritorious contributions to grassroots badminton development across the region.
A former multiple African champion, Solaja was among the global pioneering badminton players to feature at the Olympic Games, carving her name into the sport’s history before transitioning into administration.
Oby Solaja receives a new mandate to contribute to the development of badminton in Nigeria.
After retiring from competitive play, she equipped herself for sports governance by completing the six-module sports administration programme for the CIES/FIFA diploma at Cairo University — a move that strengthened her credentials in sports organisation and leadership.
Grassroots Focus in the Southeast
Over the past four years, Solaja has championed badminton development in Southeastern Nigeria through an annual championship organised in partnership with the Bet9ja Foundation. The tournament, held on a rotational basis across states in the region, has provided a competitive platform for emerging talents and reinforced grassroots participation.
Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Lloyd Ikechukwu Ekweremadu chats with the Southeast Badminton Championship Convener, Oby Edoga-Solaja
Her efforts have been widely credited with expanding the sport’s reach and encouraging youth engagement in badminton within the zone.
Speaking after her confirmation, Solaja pledged renewed vigour in spreading what she described as the “gospel of badminton,” emphasising continuity, talent discovery and structured development pathways.
She also expressed appreciation to Kunle Soname, whose Bet9ja Foundation has supported the propagation of badminton in the Southeast.
With her fresh mandate, stakeholders expect Solaja to consolidate existing programmes while strengthening institutional structures within the federation — a continuation of a journey that began on the court and now thrives in the boardroom.
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The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has etched its name in Nigerian sporting history after its para-badminton star, Eniola Bolaji, rose to World No. 1 in the women’s SL3 category, thus becoming the first athlete under any affiliate of the National Sports Commission to attain the top spot in global rankings.
The latest rankings released on Tuesday, February 17, by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed Bolaji’s ascent to the summit following her historic silver medal finish at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championship in Bahrain.
Historic Rise After World Championship Silver
Bolaji secured her place in history after advancing to the final of the global showpiece, held at the New Capital Hall in Bahrain on February 14. She eventually fell 2–0 (21–12, 21–17) to Japan’s world No. 7, Shino Kawai, but her runner-up finish earned her enough ranking points to dethrone Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh as world number one.
In the process, Bolaji also became the first African athlete to win a silver medal at the World Para Badminton Championship. This is a milestone that underscores Nigeria’s growing footprint in para-sports.
Her ranking surge was further strengthened by her triumph at the Egypt International in January, where she successfully defended her title for the second consecutive year.
Landmark Moment for Nigerian Sport
President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, described Bolaji’s achievement as a defining moment for Nigerian and African sports.
“This is the biggest news of the year, Eniola Bolaji claiming the World No. 1 spot following her participation in the 2024 Paralympic Games. She would likely have attained this position earlier if she had competed in more tournaments last year,” Orbih said.
“She regained full stability last season and has carried that momentum into this year, already featuring in two major tournaments with outstanding performances.”
Bolaji’s achievement places the BFN ahead of other federations under the National Sports Commission in producing a world number one athlete, which is a testament to what observers describe as deliberate investment, structured athlete development, and sustained technical support within the federation.
Powered by GIG, Eniola Bolaji has attained an enviable height
Structured Support Paying Dividends
Orbih credited the progress of para-badminton in Nigeria to coordinated backing from multiple stakeholders.
“This achievement is also a testament to the support and resources committed to para badminton by the National Sports Commission, the Abia State Government, and GIG Logistics. Their continued backing has created the enabling environment for our athletes to train, compete, and excel on the global stage,” he noted.
Despite narrowly missing out on gold in Bahrain, the BFN President praised Bolaji’s resilience and consistency at the elite level.
“I know many Nigerians were expecting another gold medal, but we must recognise that other players are equally determined to dethrone her. She has now become the first African to win a silver medal at the Para-Badminton World Championship,” Orbih added.
A New Benchmark for Nigerian Federations
Bolaji’s ascent to the top of the global rankings marks more than a personal triumph; it signals a structural breakthrough for Nigerian sport.
For decades, Nigerian athletes have achieved continental dominance and occasional global podium finishes, but reaching World No. 1 status — particularly in a ranking-driven sport governed by transparent international metrics — represents a new benchmark.
As Bolaji prepares for upcoming tournaments, the federation has pledged continued technical and logistical support to sustain her dominance.
With a World No. 1 athlete now flying Nigeria’s flag, the Badminton Federation of Nigeria has set a new standard — not only for para-sport development, but for all federations under the National Sports Commission aspiring to global excellence.
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