The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has officially released the schedule for the maiden National Boxing Week and the open trials for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The six-day event is set to run from March 1 to 6, 2026, at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex, located inside the National Stadium, Lagos.
A major highlight of the week will be the National Open Trials, which will determine the boxers that will represent Nigeria at the boxing event of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The trials are open to all affiliated clubs, state associations, institutions, and qualified Nigerian boxers both at home and abroad. Each affiliated body is permitted to register one boxer per weight division.
The competition will feature 10 weight categories:
Men: 55kg, 65kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg
Women: 51kg, 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 70+kg
As part of the celebration, the Federation will also honour the late Nigerian boxing great, Hogan Kid Bassey, whose achievements brought international recognition to the country.
Speaking on the importance of the event, NBF Vice President, Hon. Omonlei Imadu, said the Boxing Week will not only focus on competition but also on preserving the legacy of Nigerian boxing heroes.
Hogan Bassey remains an enduring symbol of courage, excellence, and national pride. As an icon, we want to celebrate him with respect and honor and show the young ones what it truly means to be a hero. His legacy must inspire a new generation of Nigerian champions,” Imadu stated.
He also stressed that the open trials will guarantee fairness and transparency in selecting athletes.
The old tradition of selecting boxers without an open meritocracy is not what we want to do anymore, especially under the leadership of the National Sports Commission and its strong focus on merit. Every boxer must earn the right to wear the green and white through performance and discipline,” he said.
Imadu further called on Nigerian boxers worldwide to take advantage of the opportunity.
We are calling on all Nigerian boxers, at home and in the diaspora, to seize this opportunity. This open trial will determine who represents Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Selection will be fierce, fair, and based strictly on merit,” he added.
Beyond the ring, the Boxing Week will also feature development programmes, including a joint seminar for referees and coaches, orientation sessions for boxers to promote discipline and professionalism, and stakeholder engagement meetings aimed at strengthening the domestic boxing structure.
In addition, the Federation will introduce new digital initiatives during the event. Over the past three months, the NBF has worked on automating its licensing system, revamping its official website and social media platforms, and building digital infrastructure to improve governance, transparency, and athlete management.
NBF President, His Excellency Hon. Wale Edun, described the digital upgrade as a major step forward.
We are repositioning Nigerian boxing for global competitiveness, not just inside the ring, but administratively and technologically. Governance must be as strong as the punches our athletes throw,” Edun said.
National Boxing Week is expected to mark a significant turning point for the sport, combining history, competition, reform, and national pride in one landmark gathering.
