By Paul Joseph
In light of the upcoming elections, Mr. Francis Orbih, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), has announced that preparations for the elections are almost accomplished.
The elections are being organized in cooperation with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and are expected to result in the inauguration of a new board in early March.
Orbih shared this information during a BFN board meeting at the Check Inn Hotel in Abuja on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
He discussed topics related to governance transitions, athlete development, youth programs, and the funding challenges facing the federation.
“We are collaborating with the National Sports Commission and will follow their guidance for the elections.
The Commission will issue the guidelines, and we will conduct the elections strictly according to them,” Orbih stated. He expressed hope that the elections would take place in early March, followed by the inauguration of the new board.
Reflecting on his four-year term, Orbih characterized it as largely successful, crediting the federation’s achievements to teamwork rather than individual leadership.
“I would say the past four years have been quite successful. We accomplished a lot, but it wasn’t just my doing; it was a collective effort. We had a strong and supportive board that worked closely with me,” he remarked.
He acknowledged that the term had its challenges but emphasized that dedication and effort were key to overcoming them. “It was tough, but success is determined by the amount of effort we put in,” Orbih noted.
When asked to evaluate his own administration, the BFN president declined, stating that self-assessment would be inappropriate. “How can I be the examiner for an exam I’m taking?” he questioned.
However, he pointed to the positive feedback he received as evidence of progress. “Based on the praise we’ve received, not just in Nigeria but across Africa and beyond, I believe we have performed quite well.
The world is interconnected, and our efforts are being recognized,” he said.
While he admitted that not all goals were met, Orbih stressed the importance of ongoing improvement. “We didn’t achieve everything.
Some targets were met, while others were not. There’s always room for growth,” he explained.
He also highlighted positive evaluations from significant stakeholders. “When former Federation Presidents and Sports Commission officials say badminton is thriving, it indicates that our efforts are being acknowledged. It’s unlikely that everyone is mistaken,” Orbih added.
Emphasizing key achievements, Orbih recalled Nigeria’s pivotal role in advancing badminton on the continent. “Nigeria hosted the BCA Road to LA 2028 program, becoming the first and only country to launch it so far,” he stated.
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