Adeniyi’s First Year as NWF President: Delivers New Milestones for Nigerian Wrestling From Grassroots to Global Stage
By Promise Okotoko
Beyond distinguished service as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has steadily carved a remarkable place in Nigeria’s sporting landscape.
Even before his emergence as President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, had earned widespread recognition for his selfless contributions to sports development.
Through his consistent support for a wide range of sporting programmes and initiatives, he distinguished himself as a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and grassroots sports.
For many, attaining the presidency of wrestling one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and internationally respected sports federations would mark the pinnacle of a remarkable journey. For Adeniyi, however, it became the beginning of an even greater mission.
Rather than viewing the office as a destination, he embraced it as a platform to deepen his commitment to sports development.
Driven by an unwavering belief in the transformative power of sports, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi expanded his support for athletes across different sports, strengthened grassroots initiatives, and championed programmes that continue to inspire hope, unlock talent, and leave an enduring imprint on Nigeria’s sporting landscape.
Adeniyi’s leadership is not merely defined by the position he holds but by the lives he has touched and the opportunities he continues to create.
Stakeholders, athletes, and administrators publicly in different news platforms appreciated Adeniyi for his continued support towards sports development in Nigeria through the sponsorship of different sporting events, empowering athletes, promoting grassroots talent, and inspiring the next generation of sports stars.
The Customs boss’ passion for sports knows no boundaries. His support cuts across a wide range of disciplines—from wrestling and football to volleyball, basketball, handball, athletics, and many others.
Through sponsorships, mentorship, and strategic investments, he has consistently demonstrated a firm belief that every sport deserves an opportunity to thrive.
Adeniyi’s inclusive approach has not only empowered athletes across different federations but has also reinforced the idea that true sports development is achieved when no discipline is left behind.
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has emerged as a generational trailblazer, redefining excellence in public service via visionary leadership, integrity, reforms, and impactful contributions to national development and sports.
Adewale Adeniyi first interview when he became the president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation on October 25, 2025 after he was unanimously elected during the federation’s elective congress held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, said so many inspiring words, some of which are “the real essence of sports beyond competition, is fostering peaceful coexistence among diverse races and cultures. Together with my team of technical and competent board members, we will dedicate our energy and expertise to help to actualise and build a stronger and more virile Federation for the country.” Adeniyi noted.
One year since he assumed office, his leadership as President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation has consistently championed structure, integrity, athlete development, and innovation, inspiring a new era of professionalism and excellence in sports governance.
Rather than entirely reinvent the wheel, Adewale Adeniyi has continued to strengthen the enduring legacy established by former President Daniel Igali, steering Nigerian wrestling to greater heights through continuity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
The NWF boss is poised to foster a culture of fairness, inclusivity, accountability, and sustained growth, laying a strong foundation for the continued advancement of wrestling.
He has provided platforms through deliberate sponsorships for Nigerian wrestling referees to gain global recognition while strengthening professionalism, credibility, and integrity within the domestic officiating system.
Wrestling coaches and administrators have also benefited from Adeniyi’s generosity, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to capacity building, with opportunities that have enhanced their knowledge and exposure to contribute more effectively to the advancement of wrestling in Nigeria.
Within one year in office, the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), under the leadership of President Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, sponsored a contingent of six athletes and 8 team officials led by the Federation Vice President to compete in the maiden West Africa Wrestling Championship in the Republic of Benin.
The championship featured regional wrestling education and development training under the supervision of Director of Development, United World Wrestling (UWW), Mrs. Deqa Niamkey, aimed at enhancing capacity of coaches, referees and administrators in the region
Also, the team’s participation yielded a highly successful medal haul across U-17, Senior Freestyle, and Beach Wrestling categories. A total of 11 medals, broken down as follows: 9 Gold medals (four in U-17 women, one in senior men, and four in Beach Wrestling).1 Silver medal (in senior women’s category).1 Bronze medal (in Beach Wrestling).
Significantly, the 2025 Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics witnessed unprecedented progress in athlete welfare and remuneration.
For the first time, participants were accommodated in a Games Village with free feeding, while gold and other medalists received cash rewards.
In addition, participating states, clubs, and military and paramilitary teams were provided with financial subsidies, underscoring Adeniyi’s commitment to improving the welfare of athletes and stakeholders across the sport.
Adeniyi’s impact grew even stronger when he led ‘Team Nigeria’ to the 2026 African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, where the country’s women’s team made history by securing a record-extending 15th African title.
The Nigerian wrestlers delivered a dominant performance, winning eight gold and two silver medals to claim all 10 available medals in the women’s events—a remarkable feat that reaffirmed Nigeria’s supremacy on the continent and reflected the dividends of Adeniyi’s visionary leadership
The historic feat drew national praises, prompting President Bola Tinubu to publicly celebrate the gallant Nigerian wrestlers for their outstanding achievement. It marked a critical moment for the sport, as it was the first known occasion a sitting Nigerian President formally paid tribute to the accomplishments of the nation’s wrestling team—a powerful recognition of wrestling’s growing prominence
In addition, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, hosted the victorious team upon their return from Egypt at the National Stadium in Abuja—another historic gesture that underscored the nation’s appreciation of their achievement. The reception not only celebrated the wrestlers’ remarkable success but also sent a powerful message of encouragement, one that will inspire future generations of Nigerian athletes to strive for excellence and bring honour to the country.
Leaving no stone unturned in his drive to build a truly inclusive wrestling ecosystem, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, ensured that the delegation to Egypt extended beyond athletes and coaches. By including referees, technical-team and sports journalists, he demonstrated a clear understanding that the growth of any sport depends not only on competitive success but also on the development of officiating, technical expertise, and media visibility.
Adeniyi’s commitment to the advancement of Nigerian wrestling remained unwavering as he sponsored the country’s participation at the 2026 UWW 3rd Ranking Series in Mongolia. Competing with four athletes, Team Nigeria delivered an impressive performance, winning one silver and two bronze medals.
Beyond the podium finishes, the tournament served as a crucial benchmark, testing Nigeria’s medal prospects ahead of future World Championships and the Olympic Games while providing invaluable international exposure for the nation’s elite wrestlers.
Similarly, as part of a deliberate strategy to expose Nigerian wrestlers to diverse opponents and unfamiliar competitive environments, Adeniyi considered it imperative to sponsor Team Nigeria’s participation at the Central African Wrestling Championships in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. The initiative formed a key component of his step-by-step blueprint for identifying and nurturing local talent through consistent international competition.
The investment yielded immediate success as ‘Team Nigeria’ returned home with an impressive haul of five gold and one silver medal across freestyle, beach, and women’s wrestling, further affirming the country’s growing strength on the continental stage.
Beyond the medals, the delegation led by Assistant Secretary of the Federation and coach Oyinbrakemi Tangi underwent advanced coaching and technical training, providing Nigerian coaches with world-class expertise and practical experience that will contribute significantly to the long-term development of wrestling in the country.
The Wrestling Federation President also incorporated wrestling legends into his strategic blueprint by sponsoring wrestling veteran and former national champion, Mapsin Elias Mika and veteran coach Babatunde James, popularly known as Tunde King, to Jordan to participate in the UWW Veterans World Wrestling Championships.
In the veteran championship, Mika etched his name into the history books by becoming the first Nigerian veteran wrestler to win a medal at the global competition in the 70 kg Greco-Roman wrestling category.
In another development, for the first time in Nigeria’s wrestling history, the country has travelled to the World Wrestling Championships with as many as 11 athletes, marking a significant milestone in the development of the sport.
The massive participation reflected the deliberate efforts of Adeniyi, whose leadership underscores the federation’s determination to expand Nigeria’s presence on the global stage and translate its dominance in African wrestling into greater success at world championships.
In just one year at the helm, Adeniyi has transformed vision into tangible results. His impactful leadership has elevated Nigerian wrestling to new heights, restored confidence among stakeholders, empowered athletes and officials, and set the sport on a path toward enduring excellence.
The NWF boss first year in office stands as a testament to what purposeful leadership can achieve, laying a solid foundation for even greater achievements in the years ahead.
