LAGOS, Nigeria, July 10, 2025 – During the recent African Senior Fencing Championships in Lagos, a high-level, strategic meeting took place on June 27 at the the residence of the Lagos State Deputy Governer to develop fencing in Nigeria and the African continent. Leaders of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), African Fencing Confederation (CAE) and Nigerian Fencing Federation (NFF) met with senior representatives of the Lagos State Government, aiming to deepen collaboration and secure governmental support to secure and establish Lagos as a major hub for elite fencing in Africa.
Lagos government officials attending the meeting included Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State (representing Mobolaji Ogunlende – Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Social Development); Lekan Fatodu, Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission; Damilare Orimoloye, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports; and Hon. Adebanjo Atewogboye, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Sports Development.
Fencing officials attending the meeting included FIE Secretary General Gulnora Saidova; CAE President Mbagnick Ndiaye; FIE and CAE Vice President Novak Perovic; NFF President Adeyinka Samuel; Vice Chairman, Organising Committee & NFF Executive Committee Member Obinna Anyanwu; NFF Vice President Rachael Samuel; and British Fencing Federation President Patricia Aiyenuro.
At the meeting, the FIE and Nigerian Fencing Federation expressed their deep appreciation to Lagos Governor of State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his support and for officially declaring open the 23rd African Fencing Championships that took place at Charterhouse Lagos from June 25th to 29th. The Governor was represented at the opening by Mr. Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission.
“The FIE is committed to the development of fencing across all of Africa, including a strategic focus on Lagos State”, said Secretary-General Saidova. “We sincerely value and are very encouraged by the interest and enthusiasm expressed by the distinguished leaders in Lagos to share our vision for how fencing can benefit youth, culture and progress in Nigeria, as well as the entire African continent.”
Secretary-General Saidova presented and outlined several requests to the Lagos State Government on behalf of the FIE as well as the African Fencing Confederation and Nigerian Fencing Federation:
- Official Visit to Fencing Academy Facility. A formal invitation was extended to His Excellency, the Governor, to visit the Lagos fencing facility to experience firsthand its youth empowerment and international potential.
- Land Allocation for a State-of-the-Art Fencing Centre. A request for land was made to build a world-class fencing complex to host international competitions and act as a continental hub for training and sports tourism.
- Formal Recognition of Fencing as a Priority Sport in Lagos State. The inclusion of fencing in the Lagos State’s annual sports development agenda was requested, with a dedicated budget and government-backed sponsorship and organisational support.
- Support for Technical Skills Development and Job Creation. Support was sought for fencing as an economic ecosystem to generate jobs and exportable, marketable skills through coaching, officiating, event/competition production and entrepreneurial opportunities.
In response to the requests made by Secretary-General Saidova, Deputy Governor Dr. Hamzat expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed his administration’s “unwavering” commitment to Lagos sports development. Furthermore, he assured the fencing delegation of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s interest in growing fencing in the region and encouraged the fencing organisations to pursue formalizing the outlined requests with the Lagos Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
As a symbol of goodwill and cultural exchange, Secretary-General Saidova and President Samuel presented Deputy Governor Dr. Hamzat with a fencing mask and jacket. In return, the Deputy Governor presented the delegation with a symbolic “Eyo masquerade” gift, an iconic emblem of Lagos tradition and culture, symbolizing peace, respect for ancestors, royalty and cultural pride.
“We believe this meeting marks a milestone in establishing Lagos as a center of fencing excellence in Africa”, said President Samuel. “The Nigerian Fencing Federation, with the support of the FIE and CAE, look forward to working closely with Lagos State institutions to achieve shared goals in youth development, sports innovation and international recognition.