The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) has praised the National Sports Commission (NSC) for approving the construction of Olympic-standard swimming pools in the next three host states of the National Sports Festival (NSF).
NAqF President, Dunkwu Chamberlain, described the move as a major step forward for aquatic sports development in Nigeria. He said the new facilities, starting in Enugu and followed by Bayelsa and Kaduna, show the government’s renewed commitment to sports growth and excellence.
For years, poor infrastructure has limited swimming development in the country. According to Chamberlain, the new pools will improve training conditions, raise competition standards and encourage wider participation.
NAqF Secretary, Taiwo Oriss, also welcomed the decision, calling it a “strategic breakthrough” that could help Nigeria achieve an Olympic-size swimming pool in every state before 2050.
The approval was made at the 2025 National Council on Sports meeting in Calabar. The council also introduced strict penalties for age fraud, expanded its membership, and strengthened rules on athlete insurance.
NSC Director General, Bukola Olopade, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to better infrastructure, accountability, and more opportunities for Nigerian athletes.
