President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Lekan Fatodu, has called for stronger partnerships with schools and the private sector as part of efforts to discover and develop the next generation of Nigerian swimming talents.
Fatodu believes schools can play a crucial role in creating a wider pathway for young athletes to enter competitive aquatics, while greater private-sector involvement would provide additional support for talent development.
According to him, Nigeria has talented young swimmers, but many of them require structured opportunities, regular competition and the right support system to reach their potential.
He stressed that collaboration between the federation, schools and private organisations would help broaden participation and create a more sustainable talent pipeline for the sport.
Fatodu also highlighted the importance of giving promising athletes access to quality training and modern competition standards as they progress through the ranks.
The federation president believes such partnerships can ultimately help Nigeria produce swimmers capable of competing consistently at African and global championships.
His approach places greater emphasis on grassroots identification and long-term athlete development, rather than waiting until international competitions to search for established talents.
With the right collaboration between sports administrators, educational institutions and the private sector, Fatodu believes Nigeria can build a stronger foundation for aquatics and give more young athletes the opportunity to excel.
The message is clear: find the talents early, give them the right platform and build them for the future.
