More than 1,000 swimmers from 32 African countries are expected in Abuja for the inaugural African Invitational Swimming Championship, scheduled to take place from December 14 to 20, 2026, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium.

The championship, organised in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is being staged in collaboration with Africa Aquatics, the continental governing body for aquatic sports, and the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA). The event is aimed at promoting youth empowerment, sporting development and continental cooperation.

The competition will feature male and female swimmers aged between 14 and 18, who will compete in approximately 32 events. It is designed to provide emerging athletes with an international platform to showcase their talents and gain valuable competitive experience.

Speaking at a press conference, OSMA President, retired Major General Maikano Abdullahi, said the decision to dedicate the championship to Tinubu was influenced by what he described as the President’s contributions to youth development.

Abdullahi said the partnership would enable the organisers to work together towards delivering a successful competition. He added that the initiative had received support from the President, Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and other stakeholders.

The Director of Planning and Implementation, Godwin Tammy, also said the championship was conceived in recognition of Tinubu’s contributions to Nigeria and Africa, particularly in the area of youth development.

According to Tammy, the event is intended to honour the President while creating opportunities for young people to develop their sporting abilities and participate in international competitions.

The championship has the backing of Africa Aquatics and the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio serving as the African Project Ambassador.

Africa Aquatics Vice-President, Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, described the competition as an opportunity to showcase aquatic sports and renew international interest in swimming in Nigeria.

He recalled that Abuja last hosted a major international continental sporting event of this nature during the 2003 All-Africa Games, expressing optimism that the forthcoming championship would provide another opportunity to promote aquatic sports.

The competition is also expected to strengthen collaboration between Nigeria’s aquatics authorities and the continental governing body while exposing young swimmers to competitive standards beyond their domestic environment.

The Technical Director of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Nseobong Samuel Jesimiel, said preparations were ongoing to accommodate participating athletes and ensure the successful delivery of the championship.

Jesimiel described the event as an opportunity to raise Nigeria’s profile in swimming and provide a peaceful atmosphere for athletes and officials from participating countries.

He assured that the technical team was ready to receive the competitors and deliver the competition, with support from the federation’s leadership and other partners.

Beyond the race for medals, the championship is expected to provide emerging swimmers with an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, gain international exposure and measure themselves against athletes from across the continent.

The participation of swimmers from 32 countries is also expected to encourage exchanges among young athletes, coaches and sports administrators while strengthening sporting relationships between participating nations.

For Nigeria, hosting the competition presents an opportunity to promote swimming, encourage greater youth participation in aquatic sports and generate interest in a discipline that requires sustained investment in facilities, coaching and athlete development.

With Abuja set to host the week-long competition in December, organisers are positioning the championship as both a major sporting event and a platform for youth development, African cooperation and the promotion of aquatic sports across the continent.

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