Nigeria's first contingent to the fourth Africa Youth Games, Luanda 2025, departed the country on Monday, December 8, signaling the final phase of preparations for the continent's premier youth multi-sport event. A total of 86 athletes will represent the nation across 12 sports, ranging from athletics and badminton to taekwondo, tennis, and weightlifting.
The Games, scheduled for December 10-20, 2025, mark a historic milestone as Angola becomes the first Lusophone nation to host the competition, coinciding with the country's 50th independence anniversary. The event will span six cities, including Luanda, Benguela, and Bengo, and will draw young athletes aged 14 to 17 from as many as 54 African countries in about 33 sporting disciplines.
According to the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Africa Youth Games serve as a crucial development platform aimed at promoting youth engagement, nurturing emerging talent, and preparing young athletes for global competitions, including qualifiers for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The Commission and the Nigerian Olympic Committee expressed confidence in Team Nigeria's readiness and medal prospects.
An advanced party from Team Nigeria arrived in Angola ahead of the athletes to finalize logistics. However, two athletes were dropped from the squad after the NSC uncovered discrepancies in their ages, part of what officials described as intensified efforts to curb age cheating in Nigerian sports.
Meanwhile, optimism is high within Team Nigeria’s tennis contingent. The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) President, Victor Ochei, confirmed that Goodnews Aina, Khadijat Mohammed, Oluwaseun Ogunsakin and Ikenna Prosper Okonkwo will fly Nigeria’s flag, led by coach Akinwumi Ogunsakin. He said the players “had a short training camp in Abuja before joining the rest of Team Nigeria for departure to Angola.”
Ochei expressed confidence in the squad’s potential, saying the athletes are capable of delivering podium finishes and representing Nigeria with pride. He urged them to maintain “discipline, professionalism, and the competitive spirit” associated with the country’s sporting reputation.
The NTF president also commended the NSC for providing welfare and logistical backing, adding that Nigeria is poised to reassert itself as a rising force in African tennis.
