By Aderonke Ojo
The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) has officially unveiled its 2026 Programme of Activities, detailing a comprehensive lineup of swimming competitions, development programmes, certification courses and international engagements scheduled throughout the year.
The calendar opens in January with a Coaches Training programme in Lagos, aimed at strengthening technical capacity at the grassroots and elite levels.
In February, attention shifts to the 2nd Niger Delta Games, holding from February 20 to 27 in Benin, where swimming will feature as a key competitive sport.
Activities intensify in March, beginning with the Swim to Future Swimming Championship for ages 8 to 14 on March 7 in Abuja. This is followed by the 1st Abuja Schools Swimming Championship for swimmers aged 15 and under, scheduled for March 25 to 27, also in Abuja. Still in March, the 1st Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Swimming Championship for under-16 swimmers will take place in Ilorin, with the date to be announced. The month will also host the 1st Quarter Board Meeting in Ilorin, the 1st South East Regional Swimming Championship in Awka, Anambra State, and the North Central Zone Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course in Abuja, all with dates to be confirmed. The month rounds off with the Abuja Swim Gala for ages 14 and under on March 28 in Abuja.
In April, Lagos will host the Swim for Life National Swimming Championship for ages 16 and under from April 2 to 4, bringing together young talents from across the country.
The month of May features major competitions and continental exposure. The Africa Aquatics Combined 2026 Swimming Championships—comprising the 17th Senior and Junior Championships, the 1st Africa Aquatics Inter-Zonal Championship, and the 2nd African Masters Swimming Championship—will hold from May 5 to 10 in Accra, Ghana. This will be followed by the Swimming Classics (Invitational) from May 28 to 31, with the venue to be announced. Also scheduled for May are the National Junior and Senior Swimming Championship (President’s Cup) and the 1st Nigerian Universities Swimming Championship, both in Abuja, with dates to be confirmed.
In June, development and governance activities dominate. The South East Zone Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course will take place in Enugu, while the 2nd Quarter Board Meeting will be held in Calabar, both on dates yet to be fixed. Abuja will host the National Final of the Secondary School Swimming Championship, the Swimming Athlete Education Programme, and the Abuja Swim Gala for ages 14 and under on June 27. The National Swimming Championship will also be staged in Abuja and Lagos during the month, with dates to be announced.
July will see the National Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course in Kaduna, followed by the 13th CNS National Swimming Championships in Port Harcourt, both on dates to be confirmed. Nigeria will also participate in the 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.
In August, Lagos will host the National Swimming Intermediate Games for under-17 swimmers, with the date to be announced.
Activities continue in September with the 10th National Youth Games in Asaba, the 3rd Quarter Board Meeting in Abuja, and the Under-15 Age Group Swimming Championship in Kaduna, all awaiting confirmed dates. The month also features the Abuja Swim Gala for ages 14 and under on September 26 in Abuja.
The South South Zone Technical Officials and Swimming Coaches Certification Course will take place in Calabar in October, while Nigeria will also be represented at the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Junior and Senior Swimming Championship in Dakar, Senegal, with dates to be announced.
In November, Abuja will host the 2026 National Girl-Child Swimming Championship on November 11. Nigeria will also participate in the 4th Youth Olympic Games from November 1 to 13 in Dakar, Senegal. The month further includes the National Inter-Secondary School Swimming Championship Finals in Asaba and the 23rd National Sports Festival in Enugu, with dates yet to be fixed.
The calendar concludes in December with the National Senior Swimming Championship in Port Harcourt, date to be announced. Nigerian swimmers will also compete at the 18th World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) from December 1 to 6 in Beijing, China. The year wraps up with the Abuja Swim Gala for ages 14 and under on December 5 and the 4th Quarter Board Meeting on December 15, both in Abuja.
The Federation says the 2026 programme reflects its commitment to grassroots development, technical excellence, athlete education and increased international competitiveness, as it works to strengthen Nigeria’s presence in African and global aquatics.