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Dikko: Nigeria’s FIFA Case Handled By Independent Committees, Not Politics

Published

1 week ago

February 21, 2026

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has reiterated that Nigeria’s pending case before FIFA is based strictly on alleged breaches of rules and regulations in the World Cup qualification process, and not on political influence or sentiment.

Speaking after a high-level meeting with Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Dikko clarified that the Nigeria Football Federation had formally submitted a complaint to FIFA long before the playoff matches were concluded.

According to him, the matter is now firmly in the hands of FIFA’s independent disciplinary and ethics committees, not the FIFA executive committee.

Dikko explained that Nigeria’s approach was procedural and evidence-based, stressing that the country did not wait until results went against it before raising concerns.

He revealed that the NFF documented what it believes were several violations of FIFA statutes and regulations and followed due process in submitting the complaint.

“This matter is not being handled by FIFA’s executive committee or influenced by politics,” Dikko said. “It is before FIFA’s independent disciplinary and ethics committees, which operate separately.

Nigeria followed the right process and submitted documented breaches even before the playoff matches.”

The NSC chairman also used the opportunity to brief the President on the Commission’s performance in 2025 and outline its strategic plans for 2026, noting that governance, transparency and adherence to rules remain central to Nigeria’s sports policy.

While acknowledging that Nigeria has already shifted focus to future competitions, Dikko maintained that the country remains hopeful that FIFA will review the case strictly on its merits.

He urged Nigerians to exercise patience and avoid speculation, stressing that whatever decision is reached must be respected as part of the global football governance framework.

“We are confident that the right processes were followed,” he added. “The final outcome is for FIFA to decide, based purely on the rules.”

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China’s Haolin Wang Relishes Victory At ITF J30 World Tennis Tour In Abuja

Published

15 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

Fast-rising Chinese female youngster, Haolin Wang is relishing her conquest of the second leg of this year’s ITF J30 World Tennis Tour in Abuja, Sports247 reports.

The Chinese lass recovered from her initial defeat by Nigeria’s female junior number one, Khadijat Eleojo Mohammed, in the first leg to snatch victory in the second stage.

Wang admitted afterwards that she was excited with the transformation she got against the same player during their second game and thanked everyone who made it possible.

While revealing that she dreams of playing at the highest level of professional tennis in years to come, especially at the French Open in Roland Garros, Wang told Sports247 that she won the J30 second leg in Abuja with sheer determination.

The highly jovial Wang retorted excitedly, “I am happy that I defeated Khadija and I won this one. It’s because I was determined that I wouldn’t lose again.

“I thank everyone that made me happy during this J30 tournament in Abuja. I also thank my mum, my coach and my fans. My next target is to play at Roland Garros and win it one day in the future.”

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1xBet Shortlisted in Five Categories at SiGMA Africa 2026: Strategy, Audience Insight, and Trust at the Core

Published

15 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Elliot Michael

Global brand 1xBet is once again in the spotlight of the African iGaming industry. The company will participate in SiGMA Africa 2026, taking place March 3–5 at the Grand Arena within GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town.

Africa has long been a priority region for 1xBet: dynamic regulation, growing player protection standards, professional local partners, and innovative solutions make the market here unique. The company is known for its expertise in market approaches and a partner ecosystem that supports long-term growth strategies.

Read Also: Cricket Is Developing Quite Well In Plateau State, Says Head Coach Aliyu Haruna

1xBet actively supports sports across the continent, serving as an official partner of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and all its tournaments. 1xBet collaborates with leading clubs and sports federations throughout Africa, invests in grassroots tournaments, and helps young talents reach their full potential. Among its global partners are FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, FIBA, and other international organizations, reinforcing the brand’s strong reputation.

Five nominations reflecting continued leadership

In 2024, 1xBet was recognized as Best Sportsbook Operator in Africa, affirming its leadership on the continent.

In 2025, the brand was named Best on Mobile, highlighting its innovative mobile solutions and user-centric approach across African markets.

In 2026, the company was shortlisted in five SiGMA Africa Awards categories:

Best on Mobile 2026 (Supported by ALEA)
Best Casino Operator 2026 (Supported by ALEA)
Best Sportsbook Operator 2026 (Supported by Velitech)
Best Marketing Campaign 2026 (Global FIBA Strategic Partnership)
Best Affiliate Program 2026 (1xPartners)

Each nomination reflects the company’s tangible achievements — from innovation and marketing to affiliate strategies and responsible gaming culture. Voting is open until February 23, 2026, for delegates and the broader audience.

1xBalance: conscious play and trust

SiGMA Africa 2026 will feature a Responsible Marketing expert panel, in which industry leaders will discuss how marketing practices intersect with player protection. Among the speakers is Nnanna Ewuzie, Compliance Manager, 1xBet Nigeria, who will share practical insights from the African market. The panel will cover everything from enforcing age restrictions to implementing effective verification and control tools, showing how responsible marketing directly supports responsible gambling.

“Responsible gaming is more than rules. It’s about trust, awareness, and understanding players. We want everyone to approach betting with a clear mind, understand their actions, and enjoy fair and safe play,” — Nnanna Chigozie Ewuzie, Compliance Manager, 1xBet Nigeria.

Nnanna Chigozie Ewuzie will also present practical case studies of the brand’s work with young people, including support for local sports and the organization of the 1xCup football tournament.

A key focus will also be the interaction between operators and regulators, a vital factor in shaping sustainable industry standards across the region. The panel will also share insights from the 1xBet recently published Player Protection Index, revealing how fragmented regulations across African markets pose both challenges and opportunities for the industry. This discussion highlights how a thoughtful, player-centered approach creates a safer, more trustworthy ecosystem while allowing the market to grow responsibly.

An ecosystem that scales opportunities

At SiGMA Africa 2026, Booth No. 706 becomes a true point of attraction for partners, showcasing proven approaches and offering a hands-on experience. Visitors will enjoy:

Afro-Memo — a memory and attention game with African masks, playable solo or in teams.
Discussions and insights — real cases on traffic, affiliate models, and player retention strategies, giving partners the chance to exchange experiences and ask questions.
Prizes and atmosphere — iPads, AirPods, and a lively environment that makes exploring the brand memorable and engaging.

Booth No. 706 is more than a meeting point — it’s where strategy, partnership, and live dialogue intersect, showing what really works in Africa and giving partners practical takeaways to apply in their own markets.

Participating in SiGMA Africa 2026 allows 1xBet to exchange insights, discuss market trends, and reinforce its presence in Africa.

The five award nominations confirm not only the company’s innovative strategy but also the trust and respect it commands from partners and the wider industry, making the brand a reliable anchor for anyone building a business in the region.

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Nigeria Needs Home Grown Tennis Solution – Segun Aluko

Published

2 days ago

February 28, 2026

Bryce Mullins

Nigeria needs a system through which young tennis talents are encouraged to grow within the shores of the country instead of trooping abroad in search of greener pastures, Sports247 reports.

This charge was given by the president of Nigeria Tennis Players’ Parents Association, Mr Segun Aluko, who stressed that looking for talents based abroad is not a proper approach to developing the racquet sport for the country.

Aluko added in an exclusive interview with Sports247: “We have a lot of players based in America, especially in colleges; but the most important thing is how do we develop a home-grown tennis solution.

“To play tennis in Europe and America costs an arm and a leg … it’s extremely expensive; yet there’s no guarantee that the players would even be successful.

“So, we need to have a system whereby we can build players in Nigeria, to at least play Futures and Challengers tournaments before we then raise them to the foreign mat.”

Aluko reckoned further that Nigerian players have shown in recent years that they have what it takes to seek top marks internationally, especially with the recent victory over Uzbekistan in the Davis Cup qualifiers played in Lagos.

He, however, warned that the country’s next outing will be tougher, as the Davis Cup team is scheduled to play away to Morocco in September, which would surely be a tricky outing for the ambitious visitors.

“It’s actually not easy to have players out there, but we are not doing badly. We are not there yet, where we had top players five, seven years ago, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement.

“Our next challenge in the Davis Cup will be Morocco, which is a very emotional set-up. They will do everything possible to ensure we don’t win. But, win or lose, I will still give our boys a lot of kudos.

“Considering how our boys defeated Uzbekistan, Morocco should not be a big deal, but it won’t be easy. We saw what they did in football to Nigeria and other countries at the Nations Cup.

“They are always very desperate to win; but we should see it as an opportunity for us to further develop our tennis and our system.

“Let’s prepare the boys properly to play against Morocco. They may not be lucky enough to win, since they will be playing away, but I know they will give a very good account of themselves,” Aluko enthused.

He concluded by pointing out that the Davis Cup adventure will further reveal the need for Nigeria to develop home-grown talent, who can be called upon at short notice to step out and lift the country’s flag very high at every point in time.

Aluko submitted, “This will help us to further see the reason why we must develop tennis here at home. We are trying, but we need to do better.

“For us to beat Uzbekistan, who are ranked around 45 in the world, and they have a player who defeated (Novak) Djokovic in the Australia Open singles, shows that there is something good about tennis in Nigeria.

“We just need to have the right investment, the right focus and the right concentration. We have a lot of talent, and our players are doing really well; but we have a lot of work to do.

“We have to put the right system in place and get a proper structure for the game in Nigeria, so that we can have a good chance in the world of tennis.”

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