Nigeria’s Swim Body Launches Youth‑Centred Programmes to Boost Early Talent

The leadership of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation has rolled out a new suite of swimming programmes aimed at discovering and grooming young athletes while strengthening school‑level participation in the sport.

Unveiled at a press briefing in Abuja, the federation’s 2026 agenda prioritises a series of grassroots initiatives paired with the national competitive calendar. Among the highlights are the first‑ever Swim to the Future inter‑school event and the Swim for Life National Junior Swimming Championship, both designed to widen access and deepen engagement among aspiring swimmers.

The Swim to the Future programme is slated to begin in Abuja on March 7 before moving to Lagos later in the month, with the junior championship set for early April. Federation president Chamberlain Dunkwu stressed that building a strong foundation for aquatics at the local and school levels is central to long‑term success, not just short‑term victories.

In a personal commitment to these goals, Dunkwu announced he will sponsor the initial Swim to the Future event. The federation also named Thrive Resource Centre as its official marketing consultant to help secure partnerships and sustainable funding for these development efforts.