Nigeria Aquatics Federation Hails Coach Goodluck for Exceptional Grassroots Impact

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) has saluted what it described as the outstanding commitment and self-driven development of one of the country’s most exceptional grassroots coaches, Barakumo Loya Goodluck.

This follows Goodluck’s departure for the prestigious World Aquatics Age-Grade Coaches Training Course scheduled to hold in Budapest, Hungary, from November 23–30, 2025.

President of the Federation, Dukwu Chamberlain, described Barakumo as a “shining light in Nigeria coaching,” praising his years of sacrifice, personal investment, and passion for raising the next generation of elite swimmers.

Widely regarded as the best swimming coach in Nigeria, Barakumo is celebrated for his extraordinary grassroots work, particularly as the first-ever coach of Nigeria swimming sensation Abdujabar Adama, whom he trained from the tender age of five at Ikoyi club swimming section. He also played a foundational role in shaping the early development of promising swimmer Aidan Dumeji.

His innovative methods, leadership, and technical brilliance have earned him the nickname “the Pep Guardiola of Nigerian Swimming,” a testament to his tactical sharpness, discipline, and ability to identify and mold raw talent.

Analysts say arakumo’s rise to prominence is no accident, in June, he reportedly self-sponsored his trip to Abuja for a major Aquatics training program.

In July, he traveled with Team Nigeria to the 1st Africa School Sports Championship, after which he voluntarily stayed back to understudy Coach Khalid Awaad of Egypt—one of the highest-ranked swimming coach on the continent.

Not stopping there, in September he flew to South Africa for a two-week intensive understudy with renowned elite coach Cedric Finch, one of Africa’s finest technical brains in swimming.

According to Chamberlain, these personal sacrifices demonstrate the kind of commitment needed to close the coaching gap that has hindered Nigerian sports development for years.

Barakumo is also credited with leading the Lagos State swimming team to dominate the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, where Lagos swept all gold medals in the swimming events to emerge overall champions.

Despite currently not being under contract with any state, he has continued to pursue global-standard knowledge at his own expense—proof of his unparalleled dedication to uplifting Nigerian swimming.

While bidding him farewell to Hungary for the World Aquatics training, Chamberlain emphasized that training like this is part of the mandate given to the federation by the leadership of the National sports Commission led by Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade. He emphasized that Barakumo’s journey should inspire coaches across all sports in Nigeria.

“Government cannot do everything,” he said. “But when individuals like Barakumo personally invest in their growth and in the future of Nigerian athletes, it is highly commendable.

“He is a model coach—disciplined, passionate, selfless, and forward-thinking. The Federation is proud of him, and we wish him the very best as he represents Nigeria in Budapest.”

As he heads to Budapest for the World Aquatics Age-Grade Coaching Course, the NAqF said it is confident that Barakumo will return with advanced expertise that will further transform swimming development across the country as he is an active member of the Nigeria Aquatics federation coaches committee.