- Lagos Sports DG Lekan Fatodu Appointed President of Nigeria Aquatics Federation
- Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the move aligns with ongoing efforts to reposition sports federations through effective leadership
- Fatodu is widely regarded as one of the country’s leading sports administrators
Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen sports governance received a boost on Friday as the National Sports Commission (NSC) appointed Hon. Lekan Fatodu as President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the appointment, approved by the Commission’s leadership, places the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) in charge of overseeing the development of swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming and other aquatic sports across the country.
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Announcing the appointment, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the move aligns with ongoing efforts to reposition sports federations through effective leadership, institutional reforms and enhanced athlete development programmes.
Fatodu assumes office at a time when stakeholders are calling for stronger administrative structures, improved talent development pathways, increased technical capacity and better international competitiveness for Nigeria’s aquatic sports.
Widely regarded as one of the country’s leading sports administrators, Fatodu has overseen several reforms since becoming Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission. His tenure has focused on grassroots sports development, talent identification, infrastructure upgrades, athlete welfare and strategic partnerships.
Under his leadership, Lagos has strengthened its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading centres for sports development, with sustained investments in youth-focused initiatives and talent nurturing programmes.
Speaking on his appointment, Fatodu described the role as an opportunity to contribute to the growth of another critical sector of Nigerian sports.
“This appointment represents an opportunity to build stronger structures for aquatic sports development across the country. Our focus will be on creating pathways that identify talent early, strengthen coaching and technical capacity, improve competition opportunities and ensure Nigerian athletes can compete successfully on the continental and global stage,” he said.
He stressed that sustainable sports development requires consistency, collaboration and strong systems capable of supporting athletes from the grassroots level to elite competition.
According to him, Nigeria’s sporting future depends on creating opportunities for young talents to discover and maximise their potential regardless of their location.
“Our objective must be to create a development model where every talented young Nigerian has a realistic opportunity to develop and excel. Aquatic sports offer tremendous possibilities, and we must work collectively to unlock them,” he added.
The appointment is expected to usher in a new phase for aquatic sports in Nigeria, with stakeholders hopeful that stronger structures and grassroots programmes will improve athlete performance and boost the country’s presence in continental and international competitions.
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