The National Sports Commission (NSC) has appointed the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, as the new President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, entrusting him with the responsibility of driving the growth and development of aquatic sports across the country.
The appointment was announced on Friday in a statement issued by the Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, who described the move as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen sports federations through effective leadership, institutional reforms, and athlete-centred development initiatives.
As President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Fatodu will oversee the administration and development of swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, and other aquatic sports disciplines nationwide.
The appointment adds to Fatodu’s growing profile in sports administration, following his successful leadership of Team Lagos to a historic first-place finish at the ninth National Youth Games held in Asaba, Delta State, where Lagos swimmers emerged among the standout performers of the competition.
Reacting to his appointment, Fatodu described the opportunity as a call to national service and a chance to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of aquatic sports in Nigeria.
“This appointment represents an opportunity to build stronger structures for aquatic sports development across the country. Our focus will be on creating pathways that identify talent early, strengthen coaching and technical capacity, improve competition opportunities, and ensure that Nigerian athletes can compete successfully on the continental and global stage,” he said.
He noted that sustainable progress in sports development requires strategic planning, consistency, and collaboration among stakeholders.
“Sustainable sports development requires systems, consistency, and collaboration, and that is the approach we intend to pursue,” he added.
Fatodu further emphasized the importance of nurturing young talents through organised programmes capable of bridging the gap between grassroots participation and elite-level competition.
According to him, Nigeria’s future sporting success depends largely on its ability to create opportunities for young athletes to discover and maximise their potential.
“Our objective must be to create a development model where every talented young Nigerian, regardless of location, has a realistic opportunity to discover, develop, and maximise his or her sporting potential. Aquatic sports offer tremendous possibilities, and we must work collectively to unlock them,” he stated.
His appointment is expected to usher in a new phase for aquatic sports in Nigeria, with stakeholders expressing optimism that his experience in sports administration and youth development will contribute significantly to the federation’s growth and international competitiveness.
