Oby Solaja secures fresh four-year mandate in Badminton Federation of Nigeria
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 was confirmed during the BFN zonal election held in Enugu, where she emerged as the representative for the South East zone. Delegates endorsed 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 pioneering badminton players globally to feature at the Olympic Games, etching her name into the sport’s history before transitioning into administration.
After retiring from competitive play, Solaja strengthened her administrative credentials by completing the six-module sports administration programme for the CIES/FIFA diploma at Cairo University — a step that reinforced her expertise in sports organisation and leadership.
Over the past four years, she has championed badminton development in Southeastern Nigeria through an annual championship organised in partnership with the Bet9ja Foundation. The tournament, staged on a rotational basis across states in the region, has provided a competitive platform for emerging talents while boosting grassroots participation.
Her initiatives have been widely credited with expanding the sport’s reach and encouraging greater youth engagement in badminton within the zone.
Speaking after her confirmation, Solaja pledged renewed energy in spreading what she described as the “gospel of badminton,” emphasising continuity, talent discovery and structured development pathways.
She also expressed gratitude to Kunle Soname, whose Bet9ja Foundation has supported the promotion of badminton in the Southeast.
With her fresh mandate, stakeholders expect Solaja to consolidate ongoing programmes and further strengthen institutional structures within the federation — continuing a journey that began on the court and now thrives in the boardroom.
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