By Andrew Abah, Abuja
The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has officially announced that the maiden edition of National Boxing Week will take place from March 1–6, 2026, at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex, National Stadium, Lagos.
The week-long celebration of Nigerian boxing will feature a series of high-profile boxing events, headlined by the National Open Trials to select boxers who will represent Nigeria at the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, in alignment with the merit-driven approach of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
National Boxing Week will also serve as a platform to celebrate the life and legacy of Nigerian boxing legend, Hogan “Kid” Bassey — a national icon of the sport who brought global recognition to Nigeria.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Edun Adewale Olawale, emphasized the importance of honouring the past while building a new future for the sport.
“Hogan Bassey remains an enduring symbol of courage, excellence, and national pride. As an icon, we want to celebrate him with respect and honour, and show the young ones what it truly means to be a hero. His legacy must inspire a new generation of Nigerian champions.”
The National Open Trials, scheduled within the March 1–6 Boxing Week, will ensure a transparent, holistic and merit-based selection process for the nation’s best boxers, both home-based and in the diaspora.
President Olawale reiterated the Federation’s firm stance on transparency and fairness in athlete selection.
“The old tradition of selecting boxers without an open meritocracy is not what we want to do anymore, especially under the leadership of the National Sports Commission and its strong focus on merit. Every boxer must earn the right to wear the green and white through performance and discipline.
“We are calling on all Nigerian boxers, at home and in the diaspora, to seize this opportunity. This open trial will determine who represents Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Selection will be fierce, fair and based strictly on merit.”
The trials are open to all affiliated clubs, state associations, institutions and eligible Nigerian boxers worldwide. Each affiliated body is expected to present one boxer per weight category.
The competition will feature ten (10) weight categories – Men: 55kg, 65kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg
Women: 51kg, 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 70+kg.
National Boxing Week will extend beyond competition. The Federation has also outlined a comprehensive developmental agenda that includes: A joint seminar for referees and coaches, national orientation sessions for boxers to reinforce discipline, professionalism, and athlete conduct. It will include stakeholder engagement sessions to strengthen the domestic boxing ecosystem.
In a landmark move towards modernization, the NBF will also unveil newly developed digital assets during the Boxing Week. Over the past three months, the Federation has been working on projects to automate its licensing system, rebrand its official website and social media platforms, develop digital infrastructure to improve governance, transparency and athlete management.
The NBF President described the digital transformation as a critical pillar of reform. “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 by our athletes.”
