Nigeria’s rising table tennis star, Matthew Kuti, has made a major leap in the latest ITTF World Rankings (Week 32, 2025), climbing six spots to 194th globally. This surge sees him overtake 2019 African Games gold medalist Olajide Omotayo, becoming the second-highest ranked Nigerian male in the world.
Matthew Kuti breakthrough came after his title-winning performance at the 2025 West Africa Regional Championships in Lagos, which earned him 75 ranking points. He also added 10 points from the ITTF World Championships Finals in Doha and another four from the WTT Contender Lagos, bringing his total to 89 points.
In contrast, Omotayo slipped dramatically, falling 37 places to 198th after a disappointing run in Lagos, now holding 78 points. With this drop, he risks falling out of the world’s top 200.
Meanwhile, Quadri Aruna has reclaimed his status as Africa’s number one, moving up three positions to 21st in the world with 1,185 points, despite not competing recently. The ITTF’s 12-month ranking cycle phased out older points from competitors, allowing Aruna to climb.
Other Nigerian male players also made notable progress. Abdulbasit Abdulfatai rose to 205th, fueled by his runner-up finish in Lagos, while Taiwo Mati remained steady at 213th, earning points across multiple global events.
On the women’s side, Fatimo Bello leads Nigeria’s contingent, ranking 134th despite a 17-place drop. Ajoke Ojomu moved up to 153rd, boosted by her regional championship win, while Aminat Fashola sits at 174th.
These rankings highlight Nigeria’s growing presence on the international table tennis scene and play a critical role in tournament seedings, Olympic qualification, and global recognition.
