Tayo Ogunseye
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially welcomed the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF)’s newly appointed Technical Adviser and Head Coach, Ryan Masajedi, expressing confidence in his ability to transform the country’s volleyball fortunes.
Head of Sports, Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, gave the assurance after observing Masajedi’s first training session with the national senior women’s volleyball team in Abuja.
Onikeku described the experienced coach as a valuable addition to Nigerian volleyball, noting that his vast international experience would play a key role in developing the sport and improving the country’s competitiveness on the continent.
“We are delighted to welcome Coach Ryan Masajedi to Nigeria. He has a wealth of experience and we believe he will add great value to our volleyball programme,” Onikeku said.
“Nigeria has an abundance of raw talent, and with the right technical guidance and structure, we can dominate volleyball in Africa.”
He also urged the players to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn from the new Technical Adviser by remaining focused and committed to achieving success.
Also speaking during the visit, board member representing the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN), Chinedu Onikeku (OLY), charged the national women’s team to remain disciplined and dedicated as preparations intensify for the 2026 African Nations Women’s Championship in Kenya.
The 2003 All Africa Games gold medallist expressed confidence in the team’s ability to excel at the continental competition.
“The players must remain diligent, disciplined and committed throughout the camping period. They have the talent to make a huge impact at the African Nations Championship in Kenya, and I believe they can achieve something special if they work together as a team,” she said.
Fresh from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where Team Nigeria finished seventh on the medals table, Samuel Onikeku and Chinedu Onikeku visited the national senior women’s volleyball team’s training camp on Wednesday to encourage the players and formally welcome Masajedi to his new role as Technical Adviser.
The visit underscored growing support for the national women’s team as it steps up preparations for the African Nations Women’s Championship, with stakeholders optimistic that Masajedi’s appointment will usher in a new era of success for Nigerian volleyball.
