NAqF Rolls Out 2026 Calendar of Swimming Competitions and Development Programs

Posted : 20 January 2026

The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) on Tuesday officially unveiled its 2026 programme of activities, highlighting a comprehensive lineup of swimming competitions, development programmes, certification courses, and international engagements scheduled throughout the year.

According to NAqF Secretary General Taiwo Oriss, the calendar will open in January with a coaches training programme in Lagos, designed to strengthen technical capacity at both grassroots and elite levels.

“In February, attention shifts to the 2nd Niger Delta Games (NDG) from February 20 to 27 in Benin, where swimming will feature prominently as a competitive sport.

In March, activities intensify with the ‘Swim to Future Swimming Championship’ for ages 8–14 on March 7 in Abuja, followed by the 1st Abuja Schools Swimming Championship for swimmers aged 15 and under from March 25–27. The 1st Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Swimming Championship for under-16 swimmers will also take place in Ilorin, with the date to be announced,” Oriss said.

March will also host the 1st quarter board meeting in Ilorin, the 1st South East Regional Swimming Championship in Awka, Anambra State, and the North Central Zone Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course in Abuja. The month will conclude with the Abuja Swim Gala for U-14 on March 28.

“In April, Lagos will host the ‘Swim for Life National Swimming Championship’ (U-16) from April 2–4, bringing together young talents from across the country. May will feature major competitions and continental exposure,” Oriss added.

Other key events in the calendar include:

Africa Aquatics Combined 2026 Swimming Championships, comprising the 17th Senior and Junior Championships and the 1st Africa Aquatics Inter-Zonal Championship.
2nd African Masters Swimming Championship from May 5–10 in Accra, Ghana.
Swimming Classics (Invitational) from May 28–31, venue TBA.
National Junior and Senior Swimming Championship (President’s Cup) and 1st Nigerian Universities Swimming Championship in Abuja, dates to be confirmed.

In June, development and governance activities dominate, including the South East Zone Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course in Enugu, the 2nd Quarter Board Meeting in Calabar, the National Finals of the Secondary School Swimming Championship, the Swimming Athlete Education Programme, and the Abuja Swim Gala for U-14 on June 27.

July will feature the National Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course in Kaduna and the 13th CNS National Swimming Championships in Port Harcourt, with Nigeria also participating in the 2026 Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Key events for the remainder of the year include:

August: National Swimming Intermediate Games (U-17) in Lagos.
September: 10th National Youth Games in Asaba, 3rd Quarter Board Meeting in Abuja, and U-15 Swimming Championship in Kaduna.
October: South South Zone Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course in Calabar.
November: National Girl-Child Swimming Championship in Abuja on November 11, participation in the 4th Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal (November 1–13), National Inter-Secondary School Swimming Championship Finals in Asaba, and the 23rd National Sports Festival in Enugu.
December: National Senior Swimming Championship in Port Harcourt, participation in the 18th World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) from December 1–6 in Beijing, China, Abuja Swim Gala for U-14 on December 5, and the 4th Quarter Board Meeting on December 15 in Abuja.

“The 2026 programme reflects NAqF's commitment to grassroots development, technical excellence, athlete education, and increased international competitiveness, as it strengthens Nigeria’s presence in African and global aquatics,” Oriss concluded.

NAqF Rolls Out 2026 Calendar of Swimming Competitions and Development Programs

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