Netball is one of the world’s fastest-growing and most organised women-led sports, played by over 20 million people across more than 80 countries and governed globally by World Netball. With strong professional leagues, structured international competitions and increasing commercial investment, Netball has become a powerful platform for women’s sporting excellence, youth development and sports-driven economic growth.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has taken a major step towards structuring and repositioning the sport of Netball in Nigeria with the appointment of a seasoned sports administrator and former international athlete, Dr Oluwatoyin Aluko, as President of the Nigeria Netball Federation (NNF).

Hon Olopade

Making the announcement on Wednesday, the Director General of the NSC, Honourable Bukola Olopade, said the appointment aligns with the Commission’s resolve to establish a sustainable and well-governed structure for the growth and global competitiveness of Netball in Nigeria.

He noted that Netball is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, with Nigeria already boasting a significant number of elite players competing professionally in the diaspora.

“As part of Mr President’s mandate to build a sustainable sports economy, we are creating a well-organised system where Nigerians, whether at home or abroad, can be proud to represent the country in their specialised sports,” he said.

“Based on our research, over thirty Nigerians are currently playing Netball professionally in some of the top leagues in Europe and South Africa.”

“This means Nigeria can assemble a very formidable national Netball team that can contribute meaningfully to our podium strength, provided we have a properly structured and functional Federation. Dr Aluko is a former Netball player with deep technical knowledge of the sport, proven leadership capacity, and decades of experience in sports development. This is a major step forward, and in the coming days, the Commission will announce the full composition of the Federation’s board,” Olopade added.

The newly appointed President, Dr Oluwatoyin Aluko, is a former Netball player and a highly respected figure in Nigerian sports administration. She currently serves as the President of the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN) and is widely recognised for her lifelong commitment to women’s sports, athlete welfare, and institutional development.

An accomplished national athlete, coach, and sports administrator, Dr Aluko brings over 45 years of cumulative experience spanning active competition, coaching, policy advocacy, and sports governance. Her appointment is expected to provide strategic leadership, strengthen grassroots-to-elite pathways, reconnect Nigeria’s diaspora Netball talent, and position the Nigeria Netball Federation in line with international best prapractices.

The released was signed by Dr Mrs Kehinde Ajayi, FCAI, ANIPR
Director, Information & Public Relations
National Sports Commission (NSC).

For Nigeria, Netball presents a timely opportunity to build an internationally competitive women’s team, harness diaspora talent, create employment across the sports value chain and position the country more prominently on the global sporting stage; provided the sport is supported by sound governance, institutional backing and strategic corporate partnership.

January 9, 2026