President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, has reaffirmed his support for Team Nigeria as the country’s contingent departed for the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The Nigerian contingent departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Friday, October 23, ahead of the championship scheduled to run until November 1, 2026.

The team comprises 11 wrestlers, including eight female and three male athletes, who will compete against some of the world’s leading wrestlers for honours at the global event.

Bidding farewell to the athletes before their departure, Adeniyi, who also serves as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, charged the wrestlers to represent the country with pride and strive for victory on the international stage.

He urged the athletes to translate Nigeria’s dominance in African wrestling into strong performances at the world level, emphasising the need for the country to establish itself as a major force in international wrestling.

“We must represent Nigeria with pride and strive for victory on the global stage. Having dominated the African continent, the time has come for us to translate that success into outstanding performances at the world level,” Adeniyi said.

“The federation has high expectations for this team, and we believe the athletes have what it takes to make Nigeria proud and restore the country’s medal-winning fortunes at the World Wrestling Championships,” he added.

The NWF president expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver impressive results, noting that determination, discipline and competitive excellence would be crucial to their success.

According to Adeniyi, the federation is particularly hopeful that the team will end Nigeria’s three-year medal drought at the World Wrestling Championships, making the competition an important test of the country’s progress in the sport.

The Nigerian wrestlers will be looking to build on their achievements at continental competitions and demonstrate their ability to compete against top-ranked opponents from around the world.

Team Nigeria Contingent to the 2026 World Wrestling Championships

Female Wrestlers

1. Genesis Mercy Miesinnei — 50kg

2. Ogunsanya Christianah Tolulope — 53kg

3. Idris Adijat Avorshai — 55kg

4. Adekoye Jumoke Bukola — 57kg

5. Asaolu Esther Olamide — 59kg

6. Kolawole Esther — 62kg

7. Adekuoroye Mercy — 68kg

8. Ojo Damola Hannah — 76kg

Male Wrestlers

9. Akintewe Stephen Tope — 65kg

10. Andrew Ebierelayefa Allison — 74kg

11. Onovwiomogbhwo Harrison — 97kg

Coaches

Akuh Purity

Blessing Oborududu

Agberekeme Areh

Kadel Jacob Lee

Officials

Bashir Adeniyi Adewale — President

Amkpila Christopher — Vice President

Ademisoro Bode Oluwasegun — Secretary General