By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Nigeria Boxing Federation has rolled out a detailed calendar of activities for the 2026 season, signaling an aggressive push to reposition Nigerian boxing through competitions, technical development and international exposure.
According to the programme, which was developed by the NBF technical committee and signed by Secretary General Vivian Azimene, activities will begin in January with a National Coaches Workshop in the North-Central zone.
This will be followed in February by an international friendly bout involving Rwanda and Madagascar, alongside a National Open Trial to select boxers for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Also scheduled for February is the second phase of the National Coaches Workshop in the South-East.
Meanwhile, March is expected to be the federation’s busiest month, featuring the World Boxing U-19 Future Cup, an international friendly match against Ghana, registration for the National Boxing League and the opening of the national camp ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
In addition, the South-South National Coaches Workshop will hold within the same period, reinforcing the federation’s technical capacity-building drive.
Subsequently, Nigeria will participate in the African Boxing Championship and the maiden World Boxing Cup in April, while activities in the National Boxing League and national camp continue. The North-West Coaches Workshop is also slated for the month, extending technical training to another region of the country.
As the season progresses, attention will shift to youth development and officiating. A referees and judges refresher course will take place in Bauchi in September, ahead of the boxers’ participation at the National Youth Games.
Thereafter, October will focus on preparations for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, alongside a Lagos referees and judges refresher course and the Military and Para-Military Boxing Championships.
In November, the calendar will feature the IOC/NOC course, the World Boxing Cup final, a joint National Referees and Coaches Workshop and the 2026 National Sports Festival.
The federation’s activities for the year will culminate in the maiden President’s Belt competition and award night.
Reacting to the unveiling, NBF Vice President, Hon. Omonlei Imadu, said the federation was committed to achieving record success in 2026 through a carefully structured and inclusive programme.
He noted that the calendar reflects a holistic approach to development, covering grassroots participation, elite performance and officiating.
“As a federation, I believe we have started very well. We are out to make a bold statement with our activities this year, hence they have been well articulated,” Imadu said. “Sustainable development must be holistic, and our programme captures every aspect of the boxing chain.”
Imadu, who was recently elected Vice President of African Boxing, expressed confidence that Nigerian boxers would deliver medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
