Excitement as Adesoji Tayo Emerges NTTF President
A wave of excitement swept through Nigeria’s table tennis community following the election of Adesoji Tayo as the new President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) during the federation’s elective congress held in Abuja over the weekend.
Tayo, who currently serves as Chairman of the Oyo State Table Tennis Association, was unanimously elected after his closest rival, Ahmed Khamisu, stepped down ahead of the presidential vote. The Oyo State-born administrator succeeds Engr. Ishaku Tikon, who led the federation for eight years.
Widely regarded as one of the most peaceful elections in the federation’s history, the NTTF poll was conducted under the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-backed constitution and witnessed strong participation from delegates across the country. Zonal elections were held before the presidential vote.
Tayo, a long-standing stakeholder in Nigerian table tennis, previously served as Vice President of the NTTF. His contributions to the sport are well documented, having on several occasions provided financial support to ensure national teams did not miss out on major international competitions.
Beyond his financial backing, Tayo is highly respected for his deep knowledge of the sport and his unwavering passion for its growth.
He will serve a four-year term and has pledged to prioritize youth development, with a focus on talent discovery and enhancing coaching standards nationwide.
“Our goal is to build a stronger foundation for the future of Nigerian table tennis. We’ll invest in youth programs and ensure our coaches are equipped to nurture the next generation of champions,” Tayo said.
Following the election, Ahmed Khamisu was elected as Vice President, representing the North East zone. Known for his quiet but impactful support of junior players, Khamisu has helped facilitate their participation in international tournaments.
The newly constituted 15-member NTTF Board comprises representatives from various zones and affiliated bodies as outlined in the federation’s constitution:
Adesoji Tayo – President; Ahmed Khamisu – Vice President (North East); Wahid Enitan Oshodi – International Representative / President, ITTF Africa; Engr. Ishaku Tikon – Outgoing President; Dominic Sylvester – Technical Representative; Prof. Joshua Umeifekwem – NAPHERSD; Joy Ibekwe – NAWIS; Monilola Udoh – AFFAN; Tony Emefile – Military & Paramilitary; Sunday Odebode – Sponsor/Philanthropist; Sule Nasiru – Athlete Representative; Ebikpolade Ama-Ebi Wilson – South South; Akunna Boniface Uju – South East; Ibrahim Abdul-Hamid Ali – North Central; and Ndanusa Mohammad Sani – North West.
With renewed leadership and broad representation, the NTTF is poised to usher in a new era of growth and excellence in Nigerian table tennis.
