The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, officially declared open the 2025 Women’s African Club Volleyball Championship on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abuja.
The event, which marks the first time Nigeria is hosting the continental tournament, brought together elite women’s volleyball clubs from across Africa in what is expected to be a celebration of sportsmanship, unity, and excellence.
In her opening remarks, the First Lady welcomed all participating teams and applauded the organisers for their commitment to the growth of volleyball in Africa. She described the championship as a celebration of the strength and talent of African women in sports and urged the athletes to compete with respect, discipline, and integrity.
She also lauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its continuous investment in sports development, highlighting its role in youth empowerment and fostering national cohesion.
Earlier, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in his welcome address, emphasised the tournament’s role in promoting bilateral ties and showcasing Nigeria’s capacity to host global sporting events. He encouraged the athletes to see the competition as a platform to inspire future generations through passion and fair play.
Adeniyi also acknowledged the support of the First Lady, praising her Renewed Hope Initiative for empowering women and youth across various sectors, including sports.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, commended the NCS for securing hosting rights, calling it a major milestone for African volleyball. He acknowledged the First Lady’s presence as a sign of increasing support for women’s sports in Nigeria and across Africa.
He called on stakeholders and corporate organisations to increase their investment in women’s sports, particularly volleyball, to sustain the growth and development of the game on the continent.
The President of the African Volleyball Confederation, Bouchra Hajij, also delivered remarks, urging the athletes to embrace fair play and discipline. She praised Nigeria for hosting the historic event and reaffirmed the Confederation’s commitment to promoting women’s participation in sports across Africa.
The opening match of the tournament saw the Nigeria Customs Service Volleyball Team dominate their Cameroonian counterparts in a straight-set victory. The NCS team won the match 3-0, taking the sets 25-18, 25-17, and 25-22, respectively.
The 2025 Women’s African Club Volleyball Championship will run until April 14, 2025, when a new continental champion will be crowned.