Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji has advanced to the final of the 2026 Para-Badminton World Championship in Bahrain after a commanding semifinal victory on Friday.

The reigning African champion defeated China’s Gaoying Yuan in straight sets, 21–12, 21–16, in the women’s SL3 semifinal at the New Capital Indoor Hall to book her place in Saturday’s final.

Bolaji will now face Japan’s Shino Kawai on February 14 as she bids to secure her first world title and add to her growing list of historic achievements.

The Nigerian star has been in imperious form throughout the tournament. She opened her campaign with a dominant 2–0 (21–13, 21–12) win over Australia’s Caitlin Dransfield, ranked world No. 18, before delivering a crushing 2–0 (21–3, 21–7) victory against Brazil’s world No. 10 Adriane Ávila.

In the Round of 16, Bolaji comfortably dispatched France’s Milena Surreau 21–13, 21–12, then overpowered Turkey’s world No. 5 Halime Yildiz 21–6, 21–9 in the quarterfinals to reach the last four.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chigozie Nnanna produced a landmark performance in the men’s SL4 category, securing a bronze medal after a semifinal defeat to India’s world No. 2 Naveen Sivakumar.

With their podium finishes, Bolaji and Nnanna have become the first African players to win medals at the Para-Badminton World Championship — a significant milestone for Nigerian badminton and the continent at large.

Bolaji had earlier made history at the 2024 Summer Paralympics, becoming the first African to claim a para-badminton medal at the Games with her bronze medal performance.

Reacting to the athletes’ exploits, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, praised their achievements and highlighted the federation’s strategic development efforts.

“I am excited that Eniola Bolaji has reached her second final in two months, and that Chigozie Nnanna has secured his first World Championship medal,” Orbih said.

“There have been deliberate and strategic plans to ensure that more athletes, beyond Bolaji, attain podium success. I am delighted that this vision is becoming a reality, particularly following our successful hosting of the African Para-Badminton Championships in Abia State last year.

“If all goes as planned, Bolaji could claim her second gold medal of the year, a major confidence boost as she continues her journey toward the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.”

Orbih also commended the National Sports Commission, the Abia State Government and GIG Logistics for their sustained support toward the development of para-badminton in Nigeria.

With one match separating her from global glory, Bolaji now stands on the brink of another historic achievement for Nigeria and Africa.

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World number two in the SL3 category and Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji has departed Nigeria for the Para-Badminton World Championship, scheduled to hold in Bahrain from February 8 to 14.

Bolaji will be making her second international appearance of the year, coming on the back of a dominant performance at the Egypt International Championship in January, where she won gold and reaffirmed her status as one of the leading para-badminton players in the world.

She will be joined in Bahrain by two other Nigerian athletes, with Chigozie Jeremiah, a 2024 Paralympian, set to compete in the men’s SL4 category. Chinyere Okoro will feature in the women’s SL4 event as Nigeria’s sole representative in that category.

Speaking after the team’s departure, Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), expressed confidence in the athletes’ readiness and ability to deliver strong performances for the country.

Orbih revealed that the players underwent an intensive month-long training camp in Abuja and are fully prepared to compete at the highest level. “Nigeria’s para-badminton players are once again ready to represent the country on the world stage,” he said. The athletes have shown great dedication and commitment during the camping exercise in Abuja.

“Eniola Bolaji is currently in the best form of her career after her victory at the Egypt International Championship, while Chigozie Jeremiah and Chinyere Okoro are well prepared and motivated to win laurels for the nation,” Orbih added.

He also commended the National Sports Commission and GIG Logistics for their continued support, noting that their contributions have been crucial in enabling Nigerian athletes to participate in key international ranking tournaments.

The Para-Badminton World Championship in Bahrain is expected to attract top-ranked players from across the globe, with vital ranking points and honours at stake.

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The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, has disclosed that preparations for the federation’s elections are nearing completion, with the process being carried out in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and expected to usher in a new board in early March.

Orbih disclosed on Thursday during a BFN board meeting at the Check Inn Hotel in Abuja, where key issues bordering on governance transition, athlete development, youth programmes and funding challenges were discussed.

According to the BFN president, the elections will be conducted strictly in line with guidelines to be issued by the National Sports Commission.

“For the elections, we are working in partnership with the National Sports Commission and under its guidance. The guidelines will be released by the Commission, and elections conducted strictly in line with them,” Orbih said. “Hopefully, the election will be held in early March, after which the new board will be inaugurated.”

Reflecting on his four-year tenure, Orbih described the period as largely successful, attributing the federation’s progress to collective effort rather than individual leadership.

“The journey of four years, I would say, has been very successful to a large extent. We achieved quite a lot. I would not say I was responsible for the success alone; it was teamwork,” he said, noting that he worked with a strong and supportive board.

While acknowledging the challenges encountered during the tenure, Orbih stressed that commitment and sustained effort were critical to the gains recorded.

Declining to assess his own performance, he said such judgment should be left to others, but pointed to positive feedback from within and outside Nigeria as evidence of progress.

“From the feedback and commendations, not only within Nigeria but across Africa and other continents, I believe we have done reasonably well,” he said, adding that endorsements from past federation presidents and sports authorities further reinforced that view.

Orbih highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in continental badminton, recalling that the country hosted the Badminton Confederation of Africa’s (BCA) Road to Los Angeles 2028 programme, becoming the first nation to launch the initiative.

He also cited the achievements of para-badminton star Eniola Bolaji as a major milestone for Nigerian and African badminton.

“Eniola Bolaji brought immense pride to Africa by becoming the first African to win a medal in para badminton at the Paralympics,” Orbih said, noting that her bronze medal performance has spurred early preparations towards a potential gold at the LA 2028 Paralympics.

Providing an update on Bolaji’s progress, Orbih disclosed that she recently won gold at the Egypt International and is currently ranked world number two.

“She is heading to the World Para Badminton Championships next week and then to Spain in March. With sponsorship support from the National Sports Commission, GIG Logistics and Yonex, we are hopeful she can reach world number one this year,” he said.

Orbih also revealed that Jeremiah Chigozie has been placed on a training grant by the National Sports Commission as part of his own Road to Los Angeles 2028 programme, while national singles star Anu Opeyori is currently on scholarship in the United States as he works towards a full return to competitive badminton.

On funding, the BFN president expressed optimism, citing growing support from both government and private sector partners, including GIG Logistics, Yonex, Mutual Benefits Assurance and Bond Global Energy.

“Government cannot do it alone,” Orbih said. “We are hopeful of attracting more private sector support so we can make even greater progress. We must continue to prioritise and channel available resources to what matters most in our development plans.”

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