By Paul Joseph
The President of the Nigerian Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has stressed the need for greater international exposure for Nigeria’s emerging volleyball talents, warning that the continued exclusion of volleyball from major multi-sport competitions could undermine years of developmental progress.
Nimrod’s concerns come as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, where participation remains a key target for the federation.
However, the Games have been scaled down to a leaner format featuring between 10 and 13 core sports, leaving indoor volleyball off the official programme and placing uncertainty over opportunities available to volleyball athletes.
For Team Nigeria, qualification for both the Commonwealth Games and future Olympic competitions remains a major objective. While indoor volleyball is not included in Glasgow’s programme, beach volleyball is expected to provide the country’s primary pathway into the Games.
According to Nimrod while addressing press men on Monday at the 2026 Division 1 and 2 Volleyball League at Moshood Abiola Stadium Indoor hall Abuja, maintaining such international platforms is crucial if Nigeria’s growing pool of talented young athletes is to continue developing and competing at the highest level.
The NVBF president pointed to the performances of promising players Pamela and Esther as evidence that the federation’s investment in youth development is beginning to produce results.
“These small young girls that we developed, Pamela and Esther, reached the final against Egypt again. We have continued to compete at the highest levels in Africa, and these are signs that the development programmes are yielding results,” Nimrod said.
The federation boss noted that the pair were part of a Nigerian team that reached the final against continental powerhouse Egypt after previously facing the North Africans during the African Youth Games in Angola.
According to him, such performances demonstrate that Nigeria possesses the talent capable of challenging the continent’s best, but sustained progress depends on regular participation in major international competitions.
Despite these achievements, Nimrod expressed concern that administrative decisions regarding the inclusion of sports at multi-sport events are creating obstacles for volleyball’s growth.
He acknowledged that Commonwealth Games organisers reserve the right to determine which sports feature at each edition of the Games, but questioned whether volleyball stakeholders are given sufficient opportunities to contribute to discussions affecting the sport’s future.
“Depending on the organizers, they have their reasons and I do not want to challenge those reasons because they are the organizers. We are not invited to council meetings where such decisions are taken. If the council decides on whatever it wants to do, so be it,” he said.
While accepting the authority of organisers, Nimrod maintained that repeated exclusion of volleyball from major events does little to support the sport’s development globally.
“Is it good for the development of volleyball? No,” he stated.
The veteran sports administrator recalled that indoor volleyball was once part of the Commonwealth Games before being removed from the programme. Beach volleyball later emerged as an alternative platform for countries seeking representation at the Games.
However, he disclosed that stakeholders became concerned after indications that beach volleyball could also face exclusion from future editions.
“We have a challenge with the Commonwealth Games Association. Previously there was indoor volleyball, but they dropped it. Later there was beach volleyball. Now Scotland has said it is not going to include beach volleyball and we were not happy,” he explained.
Nimrod further noted that host nations possess considerable influence over the sports programme, making it difficult for federations to challenge decisions once they have been taken.
“Even some sports that are traditionally associated with the Commonwealth Games do not automatically appear in every edition. It is the host that decides. That is a big challenge,” he said.
According to him, volleyball officials have continued to lobby for the retention of beach volleyball because of its accessibility and relatively low cost of participation.
Unlike many team sports that require large squads and support personnel, beach volleyball involves only two athletes per team, making it one of the most economical events for organisers and participating countries.
“We made a case because volleyball, particularly beach volleyball, should remain. How many players go for beach volleyball? Only two players per team,” Nimrod noted.
Beyond the Commonwealth Games, the NVBF president linked the issue directly to Nigeria’s Olympic ambitions.
He lamented the country’s repeated near misses in beach volleyball qualification tournaments, revealing that Nigerian teams have consistently finished among Africa’s leading contenders but have narrowly missed securing Olympic slots.
“We have been crying for that one slot. We have come second in Africa and narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympics. More international competitions would help our athletes gain the experience needed to cross that final hurdle,” he said.
Nimrod argued that exposure to elite competitions remains one of the most effective ways of accelerating athlete development, particularly for young players seeking to bridge the gap between continental and global standards.
He warned that reducing opportunities for participation at major events could slow the progress of developing volleyball nations and limit the chances available to emerging stars.
With funding challenges also affecting preparations for international competitions, the federation views access to events such as the Commonwealth Games as essential for sustaining momentum in the sport.
For the NVBF, the mission extends beyond winning medals. It is also about ensuring that the next generation of players receives the opportunities needed to grow, compete and achieve success on the world stage.
As preparations for Glasgow 2026 continue, Nigeria’s volleyball community remains hopeful that pathways to major international competitions will remain open, allowing promising talents such as Pamela and Esther to continue their rise and helping the country edge closer to its long-term goal of Olympic qualification.
For Nimrod, the message is clear: Nigeria’s rising volleyball stars have shown they can compete with Africa’s best. What they need now are more opportunities to prove themselves on the global stage.
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