Nigeria Aquatics 2026 programme features national championships, coaching certification, youth development, and international competitions including Commonwealth Games

The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) has released its 2026 programme of activities, detailing a comprehensive calendar of swimming competitions, coaching certification courses, development initiatives, and international engagements.

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The year begins with a coaches training programme in Lagos in January, aimed at strengthening technical capacity at grassroots and elite levels.

In February, swimming will feature at the second Niger Delta Games in Benin from 20 to 27 February.

March will be a busy month, hosting the Swim to Future Swimming Championship for ages 8 to 14 in Abuja on 7 March, and the inaugural Abuja Schools Swimming Championship for U-15 swimmers from 25 to 27 March.

The first Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Swimming Championship for U-16 athletes will take place in Ilorin, alongside the South East Regional Swimming Championship in Awka, Anambra State.

Technical officials and coaches will attend a North Central Zone certification course, while the quarter board meeting in Ilorin and the Abuja Swim Gala for ages 14 and under conclude the month.

In April, Lagos hosts the Swim for Life National Swimming Championship for U-16 athletes, and May will feature Nigeria’s participation in the Africa Aquatics Combined 2026 Swimming Championships in Accra, Ghana, including the 17th senior and junior championships, Africa Aquatics Inter-Zonal Championship, and the African Masters Swimming Championship from 5 to 10 May.

Other May events include the Swimming Classics Invitational, the National Junior and Senior Swimming Championship (President’s Cup), and the first Nigerian Universities Swimming Championship.

June focuses on governance and technical development, with South East Zone certification courses in Enugu, the second quarter board meeting in Calabar, and swimming competitions in Abuja and Lagos, including the national final of the Secondary School Swimming Championship.

July features the National Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course in Kaduna and the 13th CNS National Swimming Championships in Port Harcourt, as well as Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August.

August will host the National Swimming Intermediate Games in Lagos for U-17 swimmers.

The calendar continues with the 10th National Youth Games in Asaba, U-15 Age Group Swimming Championship in Kaduna, and another Abuja Swim Gala in September.

October will see South South Zone certification courses in Calabar and Nigeria’s participation at the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Junior and Senior Championships in Dakar, Senegal.

November features the National Girl-Child Swimming Championship in Abuja, the fourth Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, the National Inter-Secondary School Swimming Championship Finals in Asaba, and the 23rd National Sports Festival in Enugu.

December will conclude the year with the National Senior Swimming Championship in Port Harcourt, the 18th World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Beijing, and the final Abuja Swim Gala and fourth-quarter board meeting.

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NAqF stated that the 2026 programme reflects its commitment to grassroots development, technical excellence, athlete education, and international competitiveness, aiming to strengthen Nigeria’s presence in African and global aquatics.