Nigeria have secured a historic qualification for the Olympic Games beach volleyball event for the first time in the country’s history.
The breakthrough was achieved on Saturday, August 22, when Nigeria defeated Morocco 2-0 (21-17, 21-10) in the women’s final of the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Nations Championship in Alexandria, Egypt.
The landmark victory earned Nigeria a place in the beach volleyball competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, marking a significant milestone for the country’s volleyball programme.
President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Musa Nimrod, described the qualification as a victory for the entire nation after several unsuccessful attempts.
Nimrod said “ This is the fourth time we are going into the finals; we finished in second place on three occasions,” adding “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.”
Nimrod also reflected on the federation’s 16-year wait for an Olympic breakthrough, expressing gratitude for finally achieving the long-awaited feat.
The Secretary-General of CAVB Zone 3 also commended the National Sports Commission and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Adewale Adeniyi, for their continued support and contributions to the development of volleyball in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s historic qualification represents a major achievement for the country’s beach volleyball programme and provides another opportunity for Nigerian athletes to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
… OLOPADE, Gumel Hail Team
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, have congratulated Nigeria’s beach volleyball team on its historic qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Nigeria secured its first-ever Olympic qualification in beach volleyball after Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa defeated Morocco 2-0 (21-18, 21-10) in the women’s final of the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Championship in Alexandria, Egypt, on Saturday, August 22.
Olopade congratulated the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) President, Musa Nimrod, the players and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for their contributions to the historic achievement.
The NOC President described the qualification as a landmark moment for Nigerian sports, particularly beach volleyball, praising Mbah and Bawa for their determination, commitment and hard work.
Gumel said “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 IOC member also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his administration’s investment in sports development, saying the qualification demonstrated the impact of support for Nigerian athletes and sporting programmes.
He said “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,”.
Gumel also acknowledged the contributions of the leadership of the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly CGC Adewale Adeniyi, for their support for the athletes.
He also commended Engineer Musa Nimrod, President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation and President of the CAVB Beach Volleyball Commission, for his role in the development of the sport and the team’s success.
The historic victory in Alexandria earned Mbah and Bawa Nigeria’s first-ever qualification for the Olympic beach volleyball competition, securing the country’s place at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
