Progressive Professional Boxers Association Inaugurated In Lagos
..Promises sustainable ecosystem for Boxers beyond the Ring, Pledges Loyalty to NBB of C
A major turning point in the growth and administration of professional boxing in Nigeria was reached on Saturday, March 21, 2026, when the Progressive Professional Boxers Association of Nigeria (PPBA), a group of professional boxers from across the country was formally inaugurated
Held inside the Sports Hall of the Police College Ikeja, Lagos, coordinator of the group Afinni Idris Abiodun said their major goal is to unite boxers and create a sustainable ecosystem that supports them beyond the ring.
According to him, the association also plan to establish a support fund to assist boxers; set up career programmes for retired fighters; ensure health insurance for boxers; and promote fairness and fair hearings for Nigerian boxers, among other initiatives.
“We are going to be working on a support fund which will be established for our boxers, helping them focus on their careers without financial stress.
” And for our retiring and retired boxers, we are going to be setting up career transition programmes, because we believe boxing is not just a sport but a career,” he noted.
Afinni and the Assistant Secretary Hamzat Idris, in their separate speeches, reiterated their support, cooperation and allegiance to the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), while other boxers individually toed the same path while speaking during the questions and answers segments of the programme.
“We’re proud to stand with the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB oF C), the only recognized body overseeing professional boxing in Nigeria. We align with NBB of C, we’ll partner with it and we endorse the board as the sole governing body of professional boxing in Nigeria and if it’s not NBB of C, any other parallel body is illegal
“We’ll work hand-in-hand with NBB of C to drive professional boxing forward in Nigeria,” said Afinni, the PPBA Coordinator.
Speaking in the same vein, the Assistant Secretary of the association, Hamzat Idris, in his speech said “We’re proud to partner with the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), the sole governing body for professional boxing in Nigeria.
“Together, we’ll align our strategies for better outcomes, drive boxing forward, and make Nigerian professional boxing a powerhouse on the global stage.”
Inaugurating the executives, President of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control ( NBB of C), Dr. Rafiu Ladipo commended the boxers for taking such a bold initiative which he says will be beneficial to boxers.
” I’m happy that you people took the bold initiative of setting up this association and also registering it with the Corporate Affairs Commission. We at the NBB of C will work closely with you to ensure that the welfare and interest of boxers are protected at all times.
The executives that were inaugurated includes; Afinni Idris Abiodun as the coordinator; Obinna Mathew and Kabiru Towolawi, assistant coordinators; the secretary is Sikiru Sogbesan, while Hamzat Idris is the assistant secretary and Samuel Opaogun is the treasurer, with Bolatito Oluwole as the assistant secretary.
The Public Relations Officers are Victor Chikalele, Celina Agwu and Chinedu Okeke. The organizing secretaries are; Farouk Abubakri, Obaro Eradajaye and Afolabi Shittu, while the financial secretaries remain Tunde Olojede and Blessing Chukwuede.
Ridwan Oyekola Scorpion is the Assistant Financial Secretary, while the dispute resolution/disciplinary team include Tony Salam, Oladimeji Akinde and Believe Oghuvwu.
