The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has announced that the inaugural National Boxing Week will hold from March 1 to 6, 2026, at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex, National Stadium, Lagos.
The six-day event will be headlined by the National Open Trials to select boxers who will represent Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The trials align with the merit-based selection policy being promoted by the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Beyond competition, the week will also celebrate the life and legacy of Nigerian boxing legend Hogan Bassey, whose achievements brought global recognition to the country.
NBF President, Edun Adewale Olawale, said the initiative is designed to honour past heroes while laying a solid foundation for the future.
Hogan Bassey remains an enduring symbol of courage, excellence, and national pride. As an icon, we want to celebrate him with respect and show the younger generation what it truly means to be a hero. His legacy must inspire a new crop of Nigerian champions,” Olawale stated.
The National Open Trials will provide what the Federation describes as a transparent and holistic pathway for selecting the country’s best talents, including home-based and diaspora athletes.
The old tradition of selecting boxers without an open meritocracy is not what we want to continue, especially under the leadership of the National Sports Commission and its focus on merit. Every boxer must earn the right to wear the green and white through performance and discipline,” Olawale added.
He called on eligible Nigerian boxers worldwide to participate, noting that the trials will strictly determine representation at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Participation is open to all affiliated clubs, state associations, institutions, and qualified Nigerian boxers globally, with each body expected to present one boxer per weight category.
The competition will feature 10 weight divisions:
- Men: 55kg, 65kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg
- Women: 51kg, 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 70+kg
In addition to the trials, National Boxing Week will include joint seminars for referees and coaches, orientation sessions for athletes focused on discipline and professionalism, as well as stakeholder engagement meetings aimed at strengthening the domestic boxing structure.
The Federation will also unveil new digital initiatives during the week. Over the past three months, the NBF has worked on automating its licensing system, rebranding its website and social media platforms, and developing digital infrastructure to enhance governance, transparency, and athlete management.
Olawale described the digital reforms as a key part of the Federation’s repositioning strategy.
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,” he said.
National Boxing Week is expected to combine competition, development programmes, reform initiatives and historical recognition in what the Federation describes as a landmark event for Nigerian boxing.
