FEI sets three-year target for Nigeria’s equestrian federation

The FEI delegation, led by Group IX Chairperson Brigitte Mathias, visited Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Lagos, where its stops included the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Fifth Chukker, Ahmadu Bello University, Lagos Polo Club, GidiUp Horse Riding Academy and the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The Fédération Équestre Internationale, the world governing body for equestrian sport, has given Nigeria three years to meet the requirements for full membership, following a four-day visit to assess the country’s equestrian structures, facilities and plans.

The FEI delegation, led by Group IX Chairperson Brigitte Mathias, visited Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Lagos, where its stops included the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Fifth Chukker, Ahmadu Bello University, Lagos Polo Club, GidiUp Horse Riding Academy and the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Mathias, who also sits on the FEI Executive Board, said the goals to be agreed with Nigeria could all be reached within the period.

“I would like to see that the goals that we are going to put out on the table in the next couple of days, that you achieve them. The goals are all reachable within the three years, so that you achieve them and then that you can become a full member of the FEI,” she said.

Under FEI rules, a national federation becomes a full member after fulfilling the development goals set by the FEI Board and winning the approval of the General Assembly.

Mathias added that Nigeria must show its commitment through regular competitions, which need not be at the top level.

“If I come and visit, yes, we would like to see those competitions. They can be grassroots. It does not need to be high, but the will is there to enjoy the sport,” she said.

Céline Starbanov, FEI Project Manager for Solidarity and Development, said Nigeria is still at an early stage. “We are at the beginning, we are at an early stage of development, we are at the structuration phase, but we all have to start somewhere,” she said.

She said FEI Solidarity could support athletes, coaches, national federation structures and horse welfare, with training for grooms, farriers and stable managers, and coaching education, as likely priorities.

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Nigeria will also need more venues, riders, horses, coaches and national-level competitions.

The visit followed the recent recognition of the Nigeria Equestrian Federation as an Olympic sport federation by the Nigeria Olympic Committee. Its President, Dr Anthony Obiorah, had said the federation was at the final stage of its affiliation process with the FEI. After the visit, he called it an important milestone that had exposed areas needing correction.

“They have done a great deal in telling us the things we are not doing well, and which we have accepted, and we have promised to do better,” he said. “This is a new beginning. We are very particular in putting Nigeria on the world equestrian map, and this begins now.”

Obiorah said the federation also wants to widen access to a sport often seen as reserved for wealthy families. It aims to create a pathway for children to start at grassroots level, train, compete nationally and eventually represent Nigeria.

Vanessa Asuni, the federation’s Vice President for Technical and Sports Development, said the visit gave clearer guidance on the steps to take.

“We now understand the structure. We know that horse welfare is important. It always has been,” she said.

She stressed the need to develop the grooms, stable managers, coaches and other technical staff who support riders and horses. “It is the foundations that matter,” she said.

The Lagos State Sports Commission also backed the push as Director General, Lekan Fatodu, said the state wants equestrian sport to be part of the opportunities for young people, including children aged five to 15. “No sport should be invisible in Lagos State. And no talent should be overlooked in Lagos State,” he said.

The federation now has a defined set of targets to pursue, including competitions, technical capacity, horse welfare, trained personnel and wider participation, along with funding and infrastructure.