The president of Nigerian Association of Women In Sports (NAWIS), Professor Mariam Suleiman has showered encomiums on a long list of female achievers in the country, whose impact on various aspects of life should be emulated.
Sports247 reports that Suleiman gave a run down of some of Nigeria’s most outstanding female achievers with words attributed to her in a media statement issued to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day.
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Suleiman declared that she, alongside members of NAWIS’ executive committee, and entire members of the association, felicitate with all Nigerian women, especially those who are active and retired in sports.
She also paid glowing tribute to corporate bodies for hosting events focused on gender inclusion – like awards to deserving persons, empowerment programmes for women, and showcasing achievements in sports and entrepreneurship.
Suleiman added, “The Nigeria women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, is one of Africa’s most successful teams, having won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles, a record tenth time.
“The Falcons are also the only African team to have reached the quarterfinals in both the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Summer Olympics. Other sports women heroines being celebrated, include the Female Yellow Greens.
“That’s Nigeria’s Senior Women’s Cricket team, who participated in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Namibia; and Under 19 Women’s team that took the world by storm, at the ICC Under 19 World Cup, in Malaysia.
“Similarly, Team Nigeria’s poster girl, Oluwatobi Amusan and other track and field stars who have make waves on the international stage, churning and bringing home precious silverware.
“Amusan specializes in the 100 meters hurdles and has achieved incredible feats. She’s the current world record holder in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.12 Seconds, set at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
“Nigeria’s women are excelling in various sports, including athletics (Ese Brume – long jump), wrestling (Odunayo Adekuoroye and Blessing Oborodudu); as well as in weightlifting.
“Also in 2025, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, won the FIBA Africa Afrobasket tournament, and in doing so, D’Tigresses won the Afrobasket gold medal for the fifth consecutive tournaments.
“D’Tigresses were steered to these uncommon achievements, which culminated in an automatic 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup ticket, and a resounding success at the Paris Olympics.
“They punched above their weights to reach the last eight, (while being led) by a Nigerian woman, Coach Rena Wakama, who was later named Coach of the year 2025 by FIBA Africa.”
The NAWIS top shot also mentioned some Nigerian female achievers outside the sports arena, in which she noted Funke Akindele, Veekee James, Mo Abudu, and Uche Pedro for their contributions to film, fashion, media and lifestyle.
Others on her roll call are Ibukun Awosika, Halima Dangote, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Aisha Buhari, Winnie Byanyima, Professor Bosede Afolabi and Dr. Iman Abuzeid, all of who she recognized for their outstanding achievements.
, Professor Mariam Suleiman has showered encomiums on a long list of female achievers in the country, whose impact on various aspects of life should be emulated.){kind=link}