Nigeria will send a 15-member swimming squad to the 2026 Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championship in Dakar, Senegal, taking place from August 28 to 30.
Nigeria’s junior squad
The delegation includes 11 girls and four boys, with Christopher Ezemegwalu appointed as head coach.
- India Brown
- Omolola Akinsanmi
- Atinuke Alfred-Olajide
- Boluwatife Alfred-Olajide
- Oluwatofunmi Ibidapo
- Aviva Hibbert
- Kristabel Chisa Oldeide
- Ivanna Itoandon
- Toluwalase Agarau
- Tireniolu Olutodimu Nedd
- Olutise Temilolu Nedd
- Aidan Dumuje-Abili
- Demilade Ayemowa
- Oluwatimilehin Olaiya
- Udoh Daniel Emediong
Dakar meet part of Olympic build-up
The Dakar championship is being used as an important stage in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The Nigeria Aquatics Federation plans to evaluate the young athletes’ progress during the event as it continues to shape the team for the Games.
The delegation is travelling from Nigeria in separate groups before the competition begins.
Further racing scheduled
Following the Dakar championships, the swimmers are due to take part in two more domestic assignments:
- The “Swim to the Future” competition in September.
- The National Intermediate Games in October.
The federation said the sequence of meets is intended to provide the swimmers with consistent competitive exposure and strengthen their preparation for more demanding international competitions.
