Key Points

• Nigeria wins 3 gold, other medals at para event.
• Francis Chukwu, Effiong lead Nigeria’s golden charge.
• Abia hosts record-breaking inclusive championship.

At the 2025 International Para Badminton Championship in Abia State, Nigeria’s para badminton players had an amazing showing, winning three gold medals and finishing on the podium several times at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

The championship, which ended on Sunday, had competitors from 15 countries and was one of the most successful para sports events ever held in Nigeria.

The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), the Abia State government, and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) all worked together to put on the tournament. More than 120 athletes from Africa, Asia, and Europe took part.

Officials said that the event not only made Nigeria’s sports better known, but it also showed how committed the country is to inclusion and helping athletes grow.

Nigeria wins three gold medals and other medals

According to a report by Vanguard news, Francis Chukwu, Uduak Effiong, and Ibrahim Suleiman, all national para badminton stars, were the stars of Team Nigeria’s win. Chukwu won gold in the men’s singles SL3 category after beating South Africa’s Peter Mokgopa in a close match that ended 21–17, 22–20. Effiong then won the women’s SL4 singles match in straight sets against India’s Rajeshwari Devi.

Later, the two worked together to win Nigeria’s third gold medal in the mixed doubles, beating Ghana’s Daniel Mensah and Joyce Addo in a thrilling three-set final. Suleiman won a bronze medal in the men’s WH1 division, and Joy Onwumere and Chinyere Okafor won a silver medal in the women’s doubles.

Para badminton makes people proud of their country

Francis Orbih, the president of BFN, called the performance “a moment of pride for Nigeria” and said it was thanks to the players’ discipline and the government’s support for adaptive sports. “These athletes have shown that being disabled doesn’t mean you can’t do things. Orbih said, “Their strength has made Nigeria look better on the world stage.”

Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, closed the event and praised the athletes, promising to keep supporting them. “Abia is now on the world sports map because it hosted this international para badminton event. “We are dedicated to making the state a centre for sports that are open to people with disabilities,” he told reporters.

More countries are interested in the next edition

Delegations from Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, India, France, and South Africa praised Nigeria’s hospitality and organisation. Hadija Suleiman, BWF’s African representative, called the tournament “a turning point for para badminton in West Africa,” suggesting that the next one could have even more players from around the world.

The athletes were not just competing for medals; they were also competing for visibility, power, and hope. Chukwu smiled and said, “We’ve shown the world what Nigeria can do.”