By Aderonke Ojo
The first phase of the 2025 Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League came to a thrilling conclusion at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
With the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) emerging as top teams in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
In the men’s category, the CNS team dominated the men’s category, accumulating 29 points to secure the top spot.
The NSC and NSCDC followed closely, both with 25 points. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) team secured fourth place with 23 points.
Unfortunately, NAF and Kada found themselves at the bottom of the table with 6 and 4 points, respectively.
In the women’s category, the NCS team reigned supreme, topping the table with 33 points.
NSCDC secured second place with 29 points, while CNS took third with 27 points. COAS followed with 24 points. Wikki and Delta were at the bottom of the table with 3 and 0 points, respectively.
The final day of the first phase saw thrilling matches, with notable wins for Customs over Sunshine (3-0), UCEM over Nigeria Police (3-1), and CNS over Offa (3-0).
In the women’s category, Olalomi defeated Life Camp (3-1), while COAS secured a 3-0 win over Benue.
Final day of the first phase Men’s Category Standings:
1st Place:CNS Spikers – 29 points
2nd Place: Nigeria Customs Serivce (NSC )- 25 points
3rd Place:NSCDC – 25 points
4th Place:COAS Spikers – 23 points
5th Place: Nigeria Police Force ( NPF)- 17 points
6th Place: Nigeria Correctional Service- 17 points
7th Place: Offa VC- 16 points
8th Place: Kano Pillars- 13 points
9th Place: UCEM VC- 12 points
10th Place: Sunshine Spikers- 11 points
Relegation Zone:
11th Place:NAF Rockets – 6 points
12th Place:Kada Kings – 4 points
Women’s Category Standings:
1st Place:NCS – 33 points
2nd Place:NSCDC – 29 points
3rd Place:CNS – 27 points
4th Place:COAS – 24 points
5th Place: NAF Rockets- 20 points
6th Place: Kada Emeralds- 18 points
7th Place: Life Camp VC- 13 points
8th Place: Olalomi Queens-12 points
9th Place: Benue Queens-10 points
10th Place: Anambra Queens-10 points
Relegation Zone:
11th Place:Wikki Queens – 3 points
12th Place:Delta Queens – 0 points
The league’s success so far has been a testament to the growing popularity of volleyball in Nigeria, and the final phase promises to be just as exciting, with top teams competing for the championship title.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the thrilling conclusion to the league, as teams battle it out for the top spots.
The final phase of the CGC Volleyball Premier League is set to begin on November 29th and will conclude on December 10th in Abuja.
Recalled that representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), at the press conference, was the Director of Sports, Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, who reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to sports development.
Onikeku highlighted the increased financial support for participating teams and players in the 2025 edition. Last year, the champions received ₦5 million, while the second and third-placed teams went home with ₦3 million and ₦2 million respectively. Teams ranked 4th to 12th earned ₦500,000 each.
For this year, he revealed that:Player subsidies have also been increased to ₦500,000 each.
A total of ₦24 million has been allocated for the first phase of subsidies, with the same package to follow in the final phase.