Nigeria: Nigeria Triathlon Union Elects Ize Matebese As President, Unveils New Executives

What the report says

The Nigeria Triathlon Union has elected Ize Matebese as its new president at an elective congress and general assembly held in Lagos on Wednesday, 30 September, according to Premium Times, distributed by AllAfrica. The meeting took place at the Nigeria Olympic Committee headquarters in Surulere, with the leadership change following the end of Wale Oladunjoye’s two terms in office.

The new executive team also includes Abiona Babarinde as first vice president, Olukayode Oguntayo as second vice president, Priscilla Iroaganachi as secretary-general, Raliat Abdulsalam as deputy secretary-general and Modupeola Ofonedo as treasurer. The union said the incoming leadership is expected to help revive and expand triathlon activities in Nigeria.

Matebese said her priorities include building an active team, reopening or strengthening the union’s secretariat and staging a championship or tournament to raise the sport’s visibility. She also said the union would focus on schools and grassroots development to identify younger athletes and create a pathway for future competition.

Lanre Glover, the union’s life president, welcomed the transition and said he expected it to bring more competitions and development programmes. He also pointed to the union’s history, noting that it was founded in 2006 and later joined international and continental triathlon bodies. The leadership change matters because Nigerian triathlon has been seeking more regular events, stronger athlete development and greater public awareness, while the country has not yet fielded an Olympic triathlon competitor.