Benjamin, Isah win Lagos schools tennis debut

Posted : 22 March 2026

Top seed Ndifreke Benjamin has claimed the girls’ singles title at the maiden Nigeria Tennis Live (NTL) Lagos Secondary Schools Championship, defeating Success Godwin 6-3, 6-4.

The tournament was held at the Mainland Tennis Club, National Theatre, Surulere, Lagos.

Benjamin displayed composure and consistency, controlling key rallies to secure a straight-sets victory and clinch the historic title.

In the boys’ final, top seed Yaya Isah defeated Heman Afaramai 6-2, 6-4, 10-7 to emerge champion.

“I feel very happy and proud. It is a great achievement for me, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

“It was really tough. My opponent played very well, so I had to stay focused and give my best.

“I thank my coaches, school, family and organisers for their support. I will keep training hard and aim for more success,” he said.

The girls’ winner received N100,000, while the runner-up earned N50,000, with identical prizes awarded in the boys’ category.

The event, according to the organisers, aims to discover and nurture young tennis talents through competitive school matches.

Founder of Nigeria Tennis Live, Damilare Okunola, described the championship as a resounding success, exceeding expectations in participation and impact.

“The turnout surpassed our plans. We expected about 50 students, but recorded over 100 from 50 schools, even after registration closed,” Okunola said.

He said the event marked a vital step towards reviving grassroots tennis development in Lagos and across Nigeria.

“We must return to the grassroots, discover talents and polish them. More exposure increases their chances of sponsorship and career growth,” he said.

Okunola highlighted first-time competitors as a key moment of the event.

“It is exciting many children can call this their first tournament. That is a big plus, and future editions will be bigger,” he added.

Nigeria’s top-ranked player, Daniel Adeleye, described the competition as an inspiring initiative for young players.

“This is my first time here. It is a good initiative. I wish I had such opportunities during my school days.

“It is encouraging to see students from different schools compete. I am happy to watch my juniors play,” Adeleye said.

He stressed the importance of self-belief, humility and hard work among emerging players.

“Where I come from, it was not easy. I fought my way through and still believe I can improve.

“Stay humble and believe in yourself. With hard work and determination, success will come,” he said.

Tennis coach and school proprietor, Adeyemi Olaniyan, praised the championship as a commendable initiative with strong participation and quality.

“It has been awesome. The quality of play is impressive, and the organisers have done well to bring these children together,” Olaniyan said.

He rated the organisation eight out of ten and praised the technical improvement among players.

“I did not expect this quality. Schools are now investing in proper training, which is good for the sport,” he said.

Olaniyan expressed optimism about the tournament’s future growth.

“This is just the beginning. It will improve, and this first edition may rank the lowest in 10 years,” he said.

He also commended the founder’s dedication to grassroots tennis development in Nigeria.

The maiden NTL Lagos Secondary Schools Championship concluded as a landmark event for youth sports, successfully identifying promising athletes like Benjamin and Isah. With strong support from veteran players and coaches, the tournament has established a solid foundation for the future of grassroots tennis in Nigeria.

Benjamin, Isah win Lagos schools tennis debut

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