Fatodu Describes Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Board Member Win As Opportunity To advance Swimming In Nigeria 

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria Aquatics Federation President, Mr Lekan Fatodu has described his election onto the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Board as a call to greater responsibility, even as Team Nigeria continues to dominate the ongoing Zone 2 Championship.

Fatodu was elected into the board that oversees 22 countries from West and Central Africa, a development he said would allow him to contribute more significantly to the growth of swimming both in Nigeria and across the region.

“This is a call to greater responsibility and an opportunity to contribute more to the development of aquatics across Africa, while also using the platform to advance the growth of swimming in Nigeria,” Fatodu said after his election.

“We will continue to strengthen partnerships, improve development programmes and create more opportunities for our athletes to compete, develop and excel at the highest level.”

The election comes as Nigeria sits firmly atop the medal table after two days of competition at the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Championship, with 10 gold, 11 silver and three bronze medals.

Fatodu noted that the strong showing underlined the importance of creating more competitive opportunities for Nigerian swimmers. In a late boost to the team, the federation included Commonwealth Games swimmers Clinton Opute and Collins Ebinga in the senior category.

Among the standout results, Aidan Dumuje claimed gold in the boys’ 100 metres freestyle and silver in the 50 metres butterfly. India Brown won gold in both the women’s 200 metres butterfly and 200 metres freestyle, while Tofunmi Ibidapo took silver in the 200 metres butterfly.

Omolola Akinsanmi secured silver in the girls’ 100 metres freestyle, with Atinuke and Demi adding silver medals in the girls’ and boys’ 100 metres breaststroke respectively. Tise collected bronze in the girls’ 800 metres, and Collins Ebinga claimed silver in the men’s 50 metres butterfly.

With several events still remaining, Fatodu explained Nigeria would aim to consolidate its lead while he works through the Zone 2 Board to deepen regional collaboration and technical development.

“The results we are seeing show what is possible when our athletes are given the platform.”

“My focus now is to use this new role to help create even more of those opportunities.”