The Badminton Federation of Nigeria, BFN, has fixed early March 2026 for its long awaited elections, with preparations now at an advanced stage, according to the federation’s President, Mr Francis Orbih.
Orbih disclosed this on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during a BFN board meeting held at the Check Inn Hotel in Abuja, where he confirmed that the electoral process is being conducted in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, NSC. He said the elections are expected to usher in a new board shortly after the polls are concluded.
According to him, the NSC will provide the official guidelines for the exercise, and the federation is committed to conducting the elections strictly in line with those directives. He expressed optimism that the process would be seamless and transparent, paving the way for a smooth transition in leadership.
Beyond the elections, discussions at the meeting focused on governance transition, athlete development, youth engagement programmes and the persistent funding challenges confronting the federation.
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Reflecting on his four year tenure, Orbih described his leadership period as largely successful, stressing that the achievements recorded were the result of collective effort rather than personal ambition. He said the federation benefited from a committed and cohesive board that worked closely with him to deliver key programmes and reforms.
While acknowledging that the period came with significant challenges, Orbih maintained that resilience and hard work were critical in overcoming setbacks. He noted that progress in sports administration is often defined by the level of commitment invested, not by the absence of difficulties.
The BFN president declined to rate his own performance, arguing that it would be inappropriate to assess oneself while still in office. However, he pointed to consistent positive feedback from within and outside Nigeria as an indication that the federation is on the right path. According to him, recognition from across Africa and beyond shows that the federation’s efforts have not gone unnoticed in an increasingly interconnected sports world.
Orbih admitted that not all objectives set at the beginning of his tenure were fully achieved, but insisted that measurable progress was made in several areas. He said the federation remains open to improvement, noting that growth is a continuous process in sports development.
He also referenced commendations from former federation presidents and officials of the National Sports Commission, who, according to him, have acknowledged the steady growth of badminton in Nigeria. Such endorsements, he said, reflect a shared understanding that the sport has made visible gains in recent years.
Highlighting one of the federation’s landmark achievements, Orbih recalled Nigeria’s role in continental badminton development, noting that the country hosted the Badminton Confederation of Africa’s Road to LA 2028 programme. He said Nigeria remains the first and only country on the continent to have launched the initiative so far, reinforcing its position as a key driver of badminton growth in Africa.
