Nigeria’s Fencers Begin Intensive Camp Ahead of African Championships

A dozen Nigerian fencers officially kicked off their final preparation camp on Thursday, ahead of the much-anticipated 2025 African Fencing Championships set to hold in Lagos from June 25 to 29.

The 12-man squad is undergoing intensive training at the Lagos Fencing Club in Lekki, under the expert guidance of Italian coach Riccardo Bardine. His involvement stems from a strategic four-year collaboration between the Nigerian Fencing Federation (NFF) and its Italian counterpart, designed to fast-track the sport’s growth in Nigeria through technical exchange and coaching expertise.

Among the standout names on Nigeria’s roster are the country’s top-ranked fencer Inkosi Brou, U.S.-based prodigy Peluola Akinbamiro, and local sensation Wisdom Okanlawon.

The Nigerian Fencing Federation also confirmed that 26 African nations have signed up for the event, with over 200 athletes set to descend on Lagos for what promises to be a fiercely competitive championship.

“Our athletes have never been more prepared,” declared NFF President Adeyinka Samuel. “We’ve ramped up coach education, increased exposure through international events, and prioritized high-performance training. Competing on home soil gives our team the mental edge we’re ready to make history.”

Samuel also emphasized the broader vision: “It’s not just about medals. It’s about igniting the passion for fencing in Nigeria. We’ve brought in world-class coaching, initiated training exchanges, and focused heavily on athlete conditioning and mindset. Team Nigeria is fired up.”

The spotlight, however, won’t rest solely on the hosts. Egypt’s 22-year-old Mohamed El-Sayed, currently ranked number one globally and a silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics, headlines a strong Egyptian delegation. He’ll be flanked by his younger brother, Mahmoud El-Sayed the reigning Junior World Champion and top-ranked junior fencer.

The five-day championship will take place at Charterhouse Lagos, the same venue that successfully hosted Nigeria’s debut Fencing World Cup event last year.