Nigeria Triathlon Union plans elections in Lagos

After almost 20 years and eight years led by Wale Oladunjoye, the Nigeria Triathlon Union (NTU) is set for a change in leadership. The union will hold its elective congress on 30 September in Lagos.

The congress will also act as the general assembly for the union. It will take place at the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) headquarters inside the National Stadium, Surulere, as stated by the union.

Mr Oladunjoye, who has been president since 2018, called for new elections. This gives the union a chance to bring in new leaders and rethink the future of triathlon in Nigeria.

An electoral committee has been set up by the NTU board to oversee the elections. Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, a trustee of the union and a former president of the Nigerian Swimming Federation, is the chairman of this committee.

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

This election is important for a sport that combines swimming, cycling, and running. Triathlon has been part of Nigeria’s sports scene for nearly 20 years.

Triathlon began internationally in the early 1970s. The NTU was established in November 2006 by sports leaders who had experience in national federations and wanted to develop sports in Nigeria.

The union joined the International Triathlon Union, now called World Triathlon, in February 2007. It also became a full member of the African Triathlon Union in Mauritius in April 2007. Harry Ladapo and Lanre Glover represented the NTU at that meeting.

In May 2007, the union secured full membership of the NOC. These achievements helped position the NTU within Nigeria’s sports framework.

Now, with the upcoming elections, there is a chance to think about the future of the union. The new leaders will need to focus on grassroots development, finding new athletes, regular competitions, coaching, international exposure, and building stronger institutions to help the sport grow.