NVBF Unveils 2026 Roadmap for African Volleyball Success

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has unveiled an ambitious 2026 roadmap focused on continental success, player development, and commercial revival, following what he described as a highly successful Super Cup tournament.

Speaking after the competition, Nimrod said the Super Cup has become a critical platform for discovering emerging talents while sharpening established players, positioning Nigeria for tougher international challenges ahead.

He revealed that preparations are already underway for the Nations Cup zonal qualifiers in Ouagadougou, where Nigeria will compete for a single qualification ticket to the championship in Kigali.

“The Nations Cup is the real test for us. It will not be easy, but we believe Nigeria can secure the ticket to Kigali,” Nimrod said, calling for increased support from stakeholders.

In addition to the qualifiers, the NVBF confirmed Nigeria’s participation in the African Club Championship Zone 3 in Ghana, with several Nigerian clubs expected to compete in the continental tournament scheduled for April.

Nimrod also announced that the federation plans to conclude its 2026 activities with another Super Cup in December, a move aimed at sustaining competitive momentum and growing fan engagement throughout the season.

On beach volleyball, the NVBF president highlighted Nigeria’s growing dominance on the continent, noting that the women’s national team has already qualified for the continental finals and is currently ranked number one in Africa.

He added that plans are in place to host the beach volleyball zonal elimination in Badagry, Lagos, citing its natural coastline and accessibility.

The federation, he said, is intensifying talent identification efforts, with the coaches’ committee actively scouting domestic leagues. Selected players are expected to receive national team invitations as preparations for international competitions begin.

Nimrod also pointed to the increasing global footprint of Nigerian volleyball players, revealing that several athletes developed locally are now playing professionally or studying abroad in countries including Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and the Philippines.

Commending the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to sports funding, Nimrod praised President Bola Tinubu for ensuring the timely release of budgeted funds, describing it as vital to sustainable sports development.

Looking ahead, he projected a return to paid attendance at major volleyball events, signalling renewed commercial confidence in the sport.

“The value of volleyball is back. We are returning to the era when fans paid to watch the game. Volleyball is back,” he said.

With a structured calendar, growing international exposure, and renewed confidence at the federation level, the NVBF believes Nigerian volleyball is poised for a continental breakthrough in 2026.