Nigeria’s volleyball authorities will present Japanese coach Ryan Masajedi as the new head coach of the country’s national teams at a ceremony in Abuja today.
The unveiling is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the Indoor Sports Hall in Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. Masajedi’s arrival forms part of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation’s plan to advance the sport’s technical standards and make its national sides more competitive.
With major assignments on the horizon, including the forthcoming African Nations Cup, the Japanese coach is expected to contribute global experience, a structured technical approach and contemporary tactical methods. Representatives of the National Sports Commission and the NVBF will be joined at the event by players, coaches, other stakeholders, partners and journalists.
The federation views the presentation as the start of a fresh phase in its ambition to raise the profile and performance of Nigerian volleyball.
26 players called for Nairobi preparations
In a separate development, the NVBF has selected 26 players for a national training camp ahead of the 2026 CAVB African Women’s Nations Cup in Nairobi, Kenya. The continental tournament is set for August 23 to September 5, with preparations beginning on Monday, August 3, at the High Performance Centre in Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The group combines established internationals, leading performers from the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League and Nigerian athletes currently playing abroad. Head coach Elishama Elam will oversee the sessions, assisted by Segun Abinde, while Sunday Akapson will work with the setters.
The federation said the camp is intended to bring the squad to its best level physically, tactically and technically before the Nairobi competition. It also voiced confidence in the selected players and called on supporters nationwide to back the team as it pursues a strong tournament campaign.
The squad is divided into the following positions:
- Setters: Sharon Achi (NSCDC), Enewa Odoh (Vipers) and Aisha Umar (Nigeria Customs Service).
- Outside hitters: Ijeoma Ukpabi (RRA Rwanda), Happy Wushilang (NSCDC), Ozioma Nwafor (CNS), Melody Headman (Olalomi), Mariam Ibrahim (Nigeria Customs Service), Verity Onyegwu (Nigeria Customs Service), Deborah Chukwu (COAS), Mmesomah Okekearu (Kanoa Laulea, Japan), Aisha Abdulraheem (Nigeria Customs Service) and Precious Terseer (Nigeria Customs Service).
- Middle blockers: Deborah Sunday (COAS), Joy Owoniyi (Vipers), Chioma Nwangwu (Olalomi), Sarah Sanda (NAF), Ganiyat Lateef (COAS) and Aisha Bello (NU Lady Bulldogs, Philippines).
- Opposites: Kelechi Ndukauba (Nigeria Customs Service), Albertina Francis (NSCDC) and Christiana Paul (COAS).
- Liberos: Jummai Bitrus (CNS), Bethel Nworie (Nigeria Customs Service) and Miriam Usman (Nigeria Customs Service).
