Nigeria’s judo community has received a major boost after Police Inspector General Tunji Disu pledged to work more closely with the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) to expand the sport nationwide, setting the tone for what could become a landmark 2026 IGP Judo Championships. The commitment came during a senior courtesy visit to Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Inspector General of Police Tunji Disu promised partnership support to help grow judo across Nigeria.
- The NJF delegation was led by President Dr. Musa Oshodi, and talks were held at the IGP Conference Hall in Abuja.
- Discussions focused on closer federation-police collaboration, with judo training linked to “kinetic defence” capability.
- Dr. Oshodi said the NJF made three requests to Disu, including backing for the 2026 IGP Judo Championships.
- Disu was recognised by the NJF for a promotion from 3rd Dan to 4th Dan and for moving from Patron to Life Patron.
High-level courtesy meeting in Abuja
The NJF delegation, headed by Dr. Musa Oshodi, met IGP Disu at the IGP Conference Hall at Force Headquarters, Abuja. The meeting centered on strengthening collaboration between the federation and the Nigeria Police Force, a relationship that has historically helped produce some of the country’s leading judokas.
After the meeting, Dr. Oshodi described the engagement as cordial, productive, and encouraging. He added that Disu’s personal experience in judo—having once been an athlete—brought extra meaning to the discussions.
Three requests and a clear pledge of support
Dr. Oshodi said the federation presented three principal requests to the IGP. First, the NJF asked for sponsorship and support for the 2026 IGP Judo Championships. Second, it requested deeper cooperation with the Nigeria Police to enhance the Force’s kinetic defence capability through judo-based training. Third, the federation urged Disu to leverage his office to help bring in individual and corporate sponsors for the NJF.
IGP Disu, who holds a 4th Dan black belt and currently serves as Life Patron of the NJF, responded with an unmistakable show of backing. Dr. Oshodi said Disu indicated he was prepared to partner with the federation in pursuit of its goals, noting his understanding of the discipline, resilience, and respect that judo teaches—and his desire to see those values spread further within the Force and beyond.
Recognition for promotion and elevation within the NJF
The visit also served as a formal step to inform the IGP about two recent NJF recognitions. These included his promotion from 3rd Dan to 4th Dan and his elevation from Patron to Life Patron of the federation. The NJF said the moves reflect Disu’s long-standing contribution to the sport.
Dr. Oshodi added that the recognition was intended to honour Disu’s role in the judo family, and he said Disu’s acceptance and words of encouragement have energized the federation to work harder for further growth of the sport.
Why the partnership matters ahead of 2026
With a 4th Dan background and a personal history connected to judo, Disu is seen as bringing significant credibility to his new position as Life Patron. For the NJF, his involvement is described as more than symbolic—representing a direct channel to institutional backing, potential funding networks, and access to the large reservoir of talent within the Nigeria Police Force.
Looking ahead, Dr. Oshodi expressed confidence that the partnership will deliver measurable outcomes before the 2026 IGP Judo Championships. He also argued that the collaboration can strengthen the role of judo as part of broader national security training, especially in building discipline and tactical capacity for security agencies.
As he put it, the federation is confident that with the IGP’s support, judo will continue to develop both as a competitive sport and as a practical tool for reinforcing capacity within Nigeria’s security institutions.
Overall, the courtesy visit signals a renewed push by the NJF to deepen ties with key stakeholders and extend judo’s reach across the country, with the 2026 championships shaping up as the first major test of this refreshed partnership.
