Nigeria Triathlon Union sets date for elective congress

After nearly two decades of existence and eight years under the leadership of Wale Oladunjoye, the Nigeria Triathlon Union (NTU) is preparing for a leadership transition, with its elective congress scheduled for 30 September in Lagos.

The congress, which will also serve as the union’s general assembly, will hold at the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) headquarters inside the National Stadium, Surulere, according to a statement issued by the union.

Mr Oladunjoye, who has served as president since 2018, called for fresh elections, providing an opportunity for the union to usher in a new leadership and reflect on the direction of triathlon in Nigeria.

The NTU board has approved an electoral committee to conduct the election, with Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, a trustee of the union and former president of the Nigerian Swimming Federation, appointed as chairman.

Other members of the committee are Deborah Chidobi of the NOC and Sunday Enimola, chairman of the Ogun State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association.

The election comes at a significant point in the history of a sport that combines swimming, cycling and running and has been part of Nigeria’s organised sports structure for almost two decades.

Triathlon emerged internationally in the early 1970s, while the NTU was founded in November 2006 by sports administrators with experience in national federations and an interest in sports development.

The union was admitted as a member of the International Triathlon Union, now known as World Triathlon, in February 2007.

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It became a full member of the African Triathlon Union in Mauritius in April 2007, with Harry Ladapo and Lanre Glover representing the NTU at the meeting.

Two months later, in May 2007, the union gained full membership of the NOC.

Those milestones established the NTU within Nigeria’s organised sports system, but the forthcoming election also presents an opportunity to consider the next phase of its development.

For the incoming leadership, issues such as grassroots development, athlete identification, regular competition, coaching, international exposure and stronger institutional structures are likely to remain central to the growth of the sport.