Nigeria’s Junior Swimmers Set for World Aquatics Championships in Romania

Nigeria’s junior swim team has departed for Bucharest, Romania, to compete in the World Aquatics Junior Championships, scheduled to hold from August 19 to 25, 2025. The Six athletes participating at this event have been trained intensively for two weeks in Lagos and UK ahead of their departure on Sunday, is expected to fly the nation’s flag with renewed optimism.

Leading the team is Nigeria’s latest swimming sensation, Abduljabar Adama, whose breakthrough performances at the 16th Africa Junior Swimming Championships in Cairo earlier this year stunned the continent. Adama, who clinched three gold medals and one bronze, also set a new African junior record in the 50 m freestyle and shattered the championship record in the 50 m butterfly. His feats earned him the accolade of Best Male Swimmer of the Tournament and established him as one of Africa’s brightest prospects in the sport.

Adama is joined by a talented group of young swimmers: Akindele Ayobami, Akinsanmi Omotola, Dumeji-Abili Aidan, Nnaji Angelo, Obatoyinbo Kashope. Omolola Akindele as the only lady in the team. Together, they represent the promise of a new generation of Nigerian athletes determined to stake their claim on the global stage.

The delegation is led by the President of the Nigeria Aquatic Federation (NAF), Chief Mrs. Chinonye Daphey-Aliyu, who expressed confidence in the team’s potential. She described the World Championships as “an opportunity for our young athletes to express themselves, test their abilities against the best in the world, and book a place in the Youth Olympic and as well as build ranking points at the World stage gaining invaluable exposure required to become world champions.”

Beyond medals, Nigeria’s participation marks another crucial step in repositioning swimming as a podium sport for the country, with growing institutional support from the National Sports Commission’s Elite Athletes and Podium Program. Following his exploits in Cairo, Adama was inducted into the program and rewarded with ₦5 million, by the NSC underscoring the government’s renewed commitment to investing in youth development and international competitiveness.

As the countdown begins in Bucharest, all eyes will be on Abduljabar Adama and his teammates to see if Nigeria can replicate its continental success on the world stage and inspire a new wave of swimmers back home.

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso