Abuja, Nigeria — 29 September 2026
The Nigeria Netball Federation (NNF) has described Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Africa Netball Cup and Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Qualifier in Nairobi, Kenya, as a historic milestone in the development of netball in Nigeria.
The competition, held from 19–26 September 2026 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi, brought together ten African nations. Nigeria’s participation marked the country’s first competitive appearance on the international netball stage. World Netball confirmed Nigeria among the ten participating nations and noted that the tournament also served as Africa’s qualification pathway for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
The President of the Nigeria Netball Federation, Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko, expressed appreciation to the National Sports Commission, the Board of the Nigeria Netball Federation, the technical team, players, officials, sponsors, partners, supporters and the wider Nigerian sporting community for their contributions towards making the historic debut possible.
“Our participation in Nairobi has opened a new chapter for Nigerian netball. We went there not only to compete, but also to gain international experience, understand the level of the game on the continent and establish a foundation upon which we can build a sustainable and competitive Nigerian netball programme.”
A HISTORIC FIRST FOR NIGERIAN NETBALL
Nigeria entered the competition with the Green Hawks, the country’s first national senior women’s netball team.
The team was drawn in Pool 2 alongside hosts Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Zambia. Nigeria faced Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Zambia during the group stage before meeting Tanzania in the ninth-place play-off. World Netball’s official results record Nigeria’s scores as 40–61 against Kenya, 30–68 against Uganda, 22–82 against Malawi, 44–63 against Zambia and 49–53 against Tanzania.
While Nigeria did not record a victory at the tournament, the Federation considers the experience an important learning opportunity for a programme at the beginning of its international journey.
The matches exposed the players and technical team to the pace, tactical demands, physicality and organisational standards of established African netball programmes.
The experience has also provided the Federation with a clearer understanding of the areas requiring further investment, particularly in player development, coaching, umpiring, strength and conditioning, sports science, competition exposure and long-term preparation.
The Green Hawks were widely recognised as historic participants, with contemporary coverage describing Nigeria as the only debutant at the championship and the first country from West Africa to compete at the continental event.
THE JOURNEY DOES NOT END IN NAIROBI
According to Dr. Aluko, the Nairobi experience represents the beginning—not the end—of Nigeria’s international netball journey.
“We have seen where we are. We have identified the gaps, and we now know what must be done. Our responsibility is to convert the lessons from Nairobi into a structured development programme that will produce better players, stronger coaches and officials, and competitive national teams,” she said.
The Federation is therefore embarking on a comprehensive development programme designed to take Nigerian netball from the grassroots to podium performance at the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
PROGRAMMES AHEAD
Among the programmes and initiatives being pursued by the Federation are:
- Grassroots and Zonal Development
The Federation will strengthen netball development across the six geopolitical zones through state associations, grassroots programmes, talent identification and regular zonal competitions.
- Northern Zones Under-16 Championship
The first Northern Zones Under-16 Male and Female Netball Competition is scheduled for the second week of January 2027.
The competition will provide an important platform for identifying and nurturing young talents, with particular attention to players who could form part of Nigeria’s junior national pathway for future international competitions, including the Commonwealth Youth Games.
- National Open Championship
A National Open Championship is planned for 14–21 February 2027, providing players from across the country with an opportunity to compete for national recognition and selection consideration.
- Coaching and Umpiring Development
The Federation will continue to organise coaching and umpiring clinics across the country, building on the recent training of coaches and umpires in the Northern Zones.
The objective is to create a larger pool of qualified technical personnel capable of supporting sustainable development at state, zonal and national levels.
- Development of the National Women’s Team
The Federation will commence early and systematic preparations for future international competitions, ensuring that national players have more time to train, compete together and gain international exposure.
- Development of a Men’s National Team
The Federation also intends to develop Nigeria’s first strong men’s national netball pathway, with the long-term objective of preparing a team for international participation, including the World Netball Men’s Cup in 2028.
- Junior National Team Development
A strong junior women’s programme will be developed to create a continuous pathway from youth netball to senior international representation.
- International Partnerships and Exposure
The Federation will pursue partnerships with World Netball, Africa Netball, national federations, development partners, sponsors and other international stakeholders to provide Nigerian players, coaches and umpires with opportunities for technical development and international exposure.
A CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP
Dr. Aluko called on the Federal Government, National Sports Commission, state governments, corporate organisations, development agencies, schools, tertiary institutions, former athletes, the media and lovers of sport to support the development of netball in Nigeria.
“The establishment of the Green Hawks has given thousands of Nigerian girls a national team to aspire to. Our next responsibility is to ensure that a young girl who discovers netball today can progress through a properly structured pathway and one day represent Nigeria at the highest level.”
She added that the Federation remains grateful to the National Sports Commission for its support and encouragement towards the development and international return of Nigerian netball.
The President also commended the players and technical crew for representing Nigeria with commitment and for embracing the experience in Nairobi.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
The Nigeria Netball Federation acknowledges that building a competitive international programme will require patience, resources, technical expertise and sustained commitment.
The Federation is therefore determined to use the Nairobi experience as a foundation for a stronger national structure rather than as an isolated event.
From grassroots development to national championships, from coaching and umpiring education to international exposure, and from junior development to senior national teams, the NNF is committed to building a sustainable netball system capable of producing athletes who can compete successfully at continental and global levels.
The road ahead is long, but the journey has begun.
Nigeria has arrived on the international netball stage. The next chapter is development, growth and sustained competitiveness.
Signed
Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko
President
Nigeria Netball Federation (NNF)
“From Grassroots to Podium Performance — Building the Future of Nigerian Netball.”
