Nigeria’s junior swimming team has departed for Bucharest, Romania, to participate in the World Aquatics Junior Championships, taking place from August 19 to 25, 2025
The six athletes, who underwent two weeks of intensive training in Lagos and the United Kingdom, are expected to fly the nation’s flag with renewed optimism.
Leading the charge is Nigeria’s rising star, Abduljabar Adama, whose breakthrough performances at the 16th Africa Junior Swimming Championships in Cairo earlier this year stunned the continent. Adama captured three gold medals and one bronze, setting a new African junior record in the 50m freestyle and smashing the championship record in the 50m butterfly.
His feats earned him the title of Best Male Swimmer of the Tournament and cemented his reputation as one of Africa’s brightest swimming prospects.
He will compete alongside fellow teammates Akindele Ayobami, Akinsanmi Omotola, Dumeji-Abili Aidan, Nnaji Angelo, Obatoyinbo Kashope, and Omolola Akindele—the only female swimmer on the squad. Together, the young athletes embody Nigeria’s growing ambition in world aquatics.
The delegation is led by Chief Mrs. Chinonye Daphey-Aliyu, President of the Nigeria Aquatic Federation (NAF), who expressed confidence in the swimmers’ potential.
“The World Championships is an opportunity for our young athletes to test their abilities against the best in the world, gain invaluable exposure, and book a place at the Youth Olympics while earning global ranking points,” she said.
Nigeria’s participation also highlights ongoing efforts to reposition swimming as a podium sport, backed by the National Sports Commission’s Elite Athletes and Podium Program.
Following his exploits in Cairo, Adama was inducted into the program and rewarded with N5 million, underscoring the government’s renewed commitment to youth development and international competitiveness.
As the countdown begins in Bucharest, attention will be fixed on Adama and his teammates to see whether Nigeria can replicate its continental success on the world stage and inspire a new generation of swimmers back home.
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