By Andrew Abah, Abuja
The Head of Sports, Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku has officially welcomed the Nigeria Volleyball Federation’s (NVBF) Technical Adviser/Coach, Ryan Masajedi.
Onikeku, who observed Masajedi’s first training session with the national senior women’s team in Abuja, said the experienced coach has a lot to offer Nigerian volleyball.
He expressed confidence that Masajedi’s wealth of international experience would positively impact the development of the sport in the country.
He said: “We are delighted to welcome Coach Ryan Masajedi to Nigeria. He has a wealth of experience and we believe he will add great value to our volleyball programme.
“Nigeria has an abundance of raw talent, and with the right technical guidance and structure, we can dominate volleyball in Africa.”
The seasoned sports administrator urged the players to embrace the opportunity to learn from the new Technical Adviser and remain committed to achieving success.
Also speaking, board member representing the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN), Chinedu Onikeku (OLY) charged the national women’s team to remain focused and disciplined ahead of the 2026 African Nations Women’s Championship in Kenya.
The 2003 All Africa Games gold medallist said the team has what it takes to make the country proud.
She said: “The players must remain diligent, disciplined and committed throughout the camping period. They have the talent to make a huge impact at the African Nations Championship in Kenya, and I believe they can achieve something special if they work together as a team.”
Fresh from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where Nigeria finished seventh on the medals table, Samuel Onikeku and Chinedu Onikeku visited the training camp of the national senior women’s volleyball team on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, to encourage the players and officially welcome Masajedi to his new role.
Earlier within the week, the NVBF had unveiled Masajedi as the new Technical Adviser/Coach for the country’s national volleyball teams.
The unveiling ceremony took place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, Abuja, on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
Speaking at the event, President of the NVBF, Engineer Musa Nimrod, said Masajedi would immediately begin work with the national women’s team as they prepare for the 2026 African Nations Championship in Kenya.
“Coach Ryan Masajedi will immediately join the national women’s team in camp as preparations continue for the 2026 African Nations Championship in Kenya. He will also take charge of the men’s national team for the African Nations Championship in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Nomrod revealed.
