Lagos: The Nigeria Fencing Federation has announced a 12-member team for the 23rd African Fencing Championships, which will take place at Charterhouse Lagos from June 25 to June 29. This event marks only the third time the championship will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa, following previous editions in Senegal in 2002 and Mali in 2009 and 2019.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the squad is led by U.S.-based Inkosi Brou, Nigeria’s first international fencing medallist. Brou, who is 17 years old, recently secured a bronze medal at the 2025 African Junior Championships in Angola, adding valuable experience to the national team. He has participated in several international tournaments this year as he aims to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Brou is also the grandson of the late NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Dora Akunyili.
The squad also includes UK-based Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye and homegrown talents Wisdom Okanlawon, and siblings Mahatir and Mahadi Idongesit. The male team members are rounded out by Olumuyiwa Ige, Oritsematosan Egbesemirone, Alex Chizim Aninyei, and Babade Adegbola. The women’s team comprises Peluola Akinbamiro, Somto Eribenne, Sara Idongesit, and Adebodunrin Thomas. Team Nigeria will compete in both individual and team events across the three fencing disciplines: foil, epee, and sabre.
National coach Ibrahim Alogba expressed optimism about the team’s potential, highlighting their youthfulness as a possible advantage. ‘Our team is young in age and experience, which lowers pressure. We may surprise stronger teams. We are not afraid of reputations or records. This generation is ready to end Nigeria’s medal drought,’ he stated. Italian coach Riccardo Bardin, who joined the team a week ago, praised the athletes but emphasized the importance of patience.
In addition to Nigeria, countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, and Benin Republic will be participating. Other nations include C´te d’Ivoire, Algeria, Senegal, Mauritius, Angola, Rwanda, Niger, South Africa, Guinea, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Cape Verde. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the championship will feature 12 events, consisting of six individual and six team contests in foil, epee, and sabre.