The Nigeria Olympic Committee has commended the Nigeria School Sport Federation for hosting the 2nd National School Volleyball Championships at the National Institute for Sports in Surulere, Lagos. The event, which ran for four days, concluded on Friday, April 24, and featured 28 teams—10 boys' and eight girls' squads—from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Bayelsa. It was organised by the NSSF in collaboration with the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, with support from the Lagos State Sports Commission. Bayelsa and Bauchi emerged champions in the boys' and girls' categories, while Adamawa and Oyo won bronze after defeating Ekiti and Ogun in third-place matches.
NOC President Engr. Habu Gumel, who attended as special guest of honour, described the tournament as a breeding ground for future stars. He praised the quality of play and affirmed the NOC's readiness to back future editions. "We are excited with what we are seeing in this tournament, and we are happy that the future is secure with the quality of play displayed by these students. This shows that Nigeria has athletes capable of competing at the Commonwealth, Olympic, and African Games. Please feel free to reach out to us so we can support NSSF in future tournaments," he said. NSSF President Olabisi Joseph expressed satisfaction with the outcome and confirmed plans to partner with the NVBF to select top performers for the 2026 International School Sport Federation World School Volleyball Championship in China.
Engr. Habu Gumel hails the tournament as proof of Nigeria's Olympic-ready talent, yet offers support only if the NSSF initiates contact, raising questions about proactive investment. The champions from Bayelsa and Bauchi now face the uncertainty of whether this recognition translates into sustained training and selection pathways. With the 2026 World School Championship in China approaching, the timeline for identifying and preparing these students remains unaddressed. The onus is on the NSSF to bridge the gap between praise and practical development.
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