NSC appoints Lekan Fatodu president of Nigeria Aquatics Federation

Lekan Fatodu has been appointed the new President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, a move by the National Sports Commission (NSC) aimed at revitalizing the country's aquatic sports sector. Fatodu, who also serves as the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), will lead the federation responsible for swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming. The appointment comes at a crucial time as stakeholders advocate for robust institutional frameworks, better athlete development programs, and increased international competitiveness. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the NSC, stated that the decision aligns with the commission's strategy to install capable leadership and implement reforms in national sports federations. The Nigerian sports community has welcomed Fatodu's appointment, recognizing his administrative experience and his track record in driving reforms within Lagos State's sports landscape. During his tenure at LSSC, Fatodu initiated programs focused on grassroots engagement, talent identification, infrastructure enhancement, athlete welfare, and strategic partnerships, positioning Lagos as a leader in sports development. His leadership is expected to inject similar dynamism into aquatic sports, a field with significant untapped potential in Nigeria. Fatodu expressed his enthusiasm for the role, viewing it as a platform to foster substantial growth in Nigerian sports. "This appointment represents an opportunity to build stronger structures for aquatic sports development across the country," he said. "Our focus will be on creating pathways that identify talent early, strengthen coaching and technical capacity, improve competition opportunities, and ensure that Nigerian athletes can compete successfully on the continental and global stage. Sustainable sports development requires systems, consistency, and collaboration, and that is the approach we intend to pursue."

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This appointment represents an opportunity to build stronger structures for aquatic sports development across the country. Our focus will be on creating pathways that identify talent early, strengthen coaching and technical capacity, improve competition opportunities, and ensure that Nigerian athletes can compete successfully on the continental and global stage. Sustainable sports development requires systems, consistency, and collaboration, and that is the approach we intend to pursue.

He further emphasized the need for a sustainable talent development system, stating, "Our objective must be to create a development model where every talented young Nigerian, regardless of location, has a realistic opportunity to discover, develop, and maximise his or her sporting potential. Aquatic sports offer tremendous possibilities, and we must work collectively to unlock them." The appointment is part of a broader initiative by the NSC to enhance the performance and governance of national sports federations.

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Our objective must be to create a development model where every talented young Nigerian, regardless of location, has a realistic opportunity to discover, develop, and maximise his or her sporting potential. Aquatic sports offer tremendous possibilities, and we must work collectively to unlock them.