The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has officially declared that the first National Boxing Week is set to occur from March 1 to 6 at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex, National Stadium in Lagos.
This week-long event aims to celebrate Nigerian boxing through a variety of significant boxing contests, highlighted by the National Open Trials intended to select boxers who will represent Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, in accordance with the merit-based principle of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
National Boxing Week is also designed to honor the life and legacy of the Nigerian boxing icon, Hogan “Kid” Bassey, who significantly contributed to placing Nigeria on the global boxing map.
Commenting on the importance of this initiative, Wale Edun, President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, underscored the need to respect history while forging a new future in the sport.
"Hogan Bassey embodies resilience, excellence, and national pride. We aim to celebrate his legacy respectfully and inspire young boxers to understand what being a hero truly entails. His story should motivate a new generation of Nigerian champions," Edun stated.
The National Open Trials scheduled for March 1-6 will guarantee a meticulous and merit-based selection process for the nation's top boxers, regardless of whether they are based in Nigeria or abroad.
Edun reiterated the Federation's commitment to transparency and equitable athlete selection, stating, "The previous method of picking boxers without a transparent merit-based process is now behind us, particularly under the leadership of the NSC which emphasizes merit. Every boxer must demonstrate their capability to represent the country based on performance and discipline."
He added, "We urge all Nigerian boxers, domestically and internationally, to take advantage of this opportunity. This open trial will reveal who will don the green and white for Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The selection will be rigorous, equitable, and exclusively performance-driven."
These trials welcome participation from all affiliated clubs, state associations, and eligible Nigerian boxers globally. Each registered organization is required to nominate one boxer per weight class.
The competition will involve ten weight divisions:
Men: 55kg, 65kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg
Women: 51kg, 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 70+kg.
Beyond competition, National Boxing Week will encompass a broader developmental agenda. This includes a joint seminar for referees and coaches, national orientation sessions aimed at instilling discipline, professionalism, and athlete behavior, as well as stakeholder engagement to enhance the domestic boxing framework.
In a significant step towards modernization, NBF will also launch newly developed digital resources during the Boxing Week celebrations.
Recently, the Federation has undertaken initiatives to automate its licensing system, revamp its official website and social media platforms, and enhance digital infrastructure to bolster governance, transparency, and athlete management.
The NBF President characterized this digital transformation as a crucial part of their reform agenda.
"We are positioning Nigerian boxing for global competitiveness, not just in the ring but also in administrative and technological aspects. Our governance must be as robust as the punches thrown by our athletes," he emphasized.
National Boxing Week is anticipated to be a pivotal occasion for the sport, combining history, competition, reform, and national pride into an unforgettable landmark event.
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