FEI delegation set for four-day Nigeria visit over equestrian affiliation bid

A delegation of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body for equestrian sport, will undertake a four-day visit to Nigeria from Monday, 28 September to Thursday, 1 October as the country advances its bid for international affiliation.

The visit is part of the final stage of Nigeria’s FEI affiliation process, ahead of consideration of the country’s application by the FEI General Assembly, according to the Nigeria Equestrian Federation (NEF).

During the visit, the delegation is expected to engage key Nigerian sporting institutions, including the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the National Sports Commission (NSC), as well as inspect relevant equestrian facilities and meet other stakeholders involved in the development and administration of the sport.

The visit is expected to provide the FEI with an opportunity to assess Nigeria’s governance and technical structures, athlete and official development, veterinary systems, horse welfare, facilities, competitions and anti-doping and medication arrangements.

The NEF President, Anthony Obiorah, described the visit as a significant milestone for Nigerian equestrian sport.

“The FEI visit is a very important milestone for Nigerian equestrian sport. It is part of the final stage of Nigeria’s FEI affiliation process, ahead of consideration of our application by the FEI General Assembly,” Mr Obiorah said.

“For us, this is not simply about obtaining an international affiliation. It is about integrating Nigerian equestrian sport into the international system and ensuring that our governance, technical structures, athletes, officials, horse welfare, veterinary systems and competitions can operate to internationally recognised standards.”

Nigeria’s readiness

The FEI affiliation process covers a range of areas, including governance, administration, finances, athlete and official development, coaching, veterinary services, horse welfare, facilities, competitions and anti-doping and medication systems.

Mr Obiorah acknowledged that Nigeria still faces challenges in infrastructure, funding, technical capacity and access to specialised services.

“Our challenges are similar to those faced by many developing sporting systems: infrastructure, funding, technical capacity and access to specialised services,” he said.

He said the federation was working to strengthen training and competition facilities, veterinary support, biosecurity arrangements and technical development.

Horse welfare, he added, would remain central to the process.

“The horse is not equipment; the horse is an athlete and a partner,” he said.

The federation is also seeking greater government and private-sector support for infrastructure, youth development, veterinary systems and international participation.

“Our message is very clear: we are asking for partnership, not dependency,” Mr Obiorah said.

Developing riders and officials

Vanessa Asuni, the federation’s vice president, Technical and Sports Development, said Nigeria needs a structured pathway to move talented riders and other professionals from domestic competition to the international level.

She said the federation was developing programmes covering riders, coaches, grooms, judges, stewards, veterinarians and other technical personnel.

“You cannot build an international equestrian programme without competent coaches, grooms, officials and veterinary professionals,” Mrs Asuni said.

She also identified Nigerian equestrians in the diaspora as a potential source of international experience and expertise for the domestic sport.

The federation plans to use schools, riding schools, youth programmes and talent identification initiatives to broaden access to equestrian sport beyond traditional elite clubs.

Mrs Asuni said the sport could also create career opportunities in areas including coaching, grooming, veterinary care, farriery, stable management, judging and event management.

Targeting international competitions

If Nigeria secures FEI recognition, Mrs Asuni said the federation would prioritise greater international participation and work towards hosting FEI-sanctioned competitions in the country.

“Our immediate focus would be to strengthen the pathway from national competition to international participation,” she said.

“We also want Nigeria to become a country that can host international equestrian sport, not simply participate in it.”

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She said hosting international competitions would expose Nigerian riders and officials to international standards and create opportunities for businesses in the equestrian sector.

Nigeria eyeing quick integration into the world body

The four-day visit will therefore provide an important assessment of Nigeria’s readiness as the country seeks to complete the affiliation process and establish a stronger pathway into international equestrian sport.

“The FEI visit is a milestone, not the destination,” Mr Obiorah said.

“Our ambition is to build an equestrian system that develops Nigerian talent, protects horses, creates economic opportunities and gives our athletes a credible pathway from grassroots participation to international competition.”