Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Ize Matebese has been elected president of the Nigeria Triathlon Union (NTU), becoming the first woman to lead the organisation in 20 years after its elective congress in Lagos on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Matebese secured 16 votes at the congress, held at the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) headquarters inside the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. She succeeds Prince Wale Oladunjoye, who had led the union since 2018.
Her election marks a leadership transition for an organisation that has been working to develop triathlon in Nigeria, a sport that combines swimming, cycling and running.
Matebese promises a new beginning
Speaking after her election, Matebese said her administration would seek to raise the profile of triathlon and restore regular competitions.
She identified the organisation of tournaments and championships as one of the immediate priorities, saying visible competitions would help create greater public awareness of the sport.
Matebese also said the union would focus on young athletes and school programmes as part of efforts to build a stronger pipeline of Nigerian triathletes.
“We will be looking out for our youths and push as many of them as we can,” she said.
The new president also expressed an ambition to identify athletes capable of representing Nigeria at major international competitions, including the Olympic Games. Nigerian athletes have competed internationally in triathlon, but Nigeria has yet to have an athlete compete in the sport at the Olympic Games.
New executive board elected
The congress also produced a new executive team to work alongside Matebese.
Abiona Babarinde was elected first vice-president, while Olukayode Oguntayo became second vice-president.
Priscilla Iroaganachi was elected secretary-general, with Raliat Abdulsalam as deputy secretary-general. Modupeola Ofonedu was elected treasurer.
The new leadership is expected to concentrate on increasing competitions, grassroots participation, school programmes and the visibility of triathlon across Nigeria.
Matebese brings long experience in the union
Matebese is not new to the organisation.
Before becoming president, she served as the NTU’s first vice-president, treasurer-general and legal adviser. She is also one of the union’s founding members and previously served two terms on the Legal Committee of World Triathlon.
Her previous involvement in the administration of the union gives her familiarity with its structure and development challenges as she begins her tenure.
The leadership change follows Oladunjoye’s two-term tenure. According to Premium Times, Oladunjoye had called for fresh elections after leading the union from 2018.
Glover backs new administration
Lanre Glover, the union’s honorary life president and founding president, expressed confidence in the incoming leadership.
Glover said he expected the new administration to organise more competitions and introduce development programmes, particularly those targeting schools.
He also pointed to Matebese’s long association with the union and her knowledge of its founding ideals.
“We expect to roll out championships. Also, we are going to have development programmes focusing on schools,” Glover said.
He added that the organisation hoped to restore the level of activity and fellowship associated with its earlier years.
A sport seeking greater visibility in Nigeria
Triathlon requires competitors to complete three disciplines — swimming, cycling and running — in a single competition.
The sport became an Olympic event at the 2000 Sydney Games, giving national federations around the world an important pathway for developing athletes for international competition.
For Nigeria, however, the development of a consistent domestic competition structure remains important to identifying and preparing athletes capable of progressing to the highest level.
Matebese’s emphasis on national championships and school participation therefore places grassroots development at the centre of the new administration’s plans.
Regular domestic competitions can also provide opportunities for athletes to gain competitive experience while allowing coaches and administrators to identify emerging talent.
Nigeria Triathlon Union’s history
The Nigeria Triathlon Union was established in November 2006 by sports administrators led by Glover. Other founding figures included Banji Oladapo, Babatunde Fatayi-Williams and Wale Oladunjoye, while Gloria Obajimi served as the organisation’s first secretary-general.
The union was admitted into the International Triathlon Union, now known as World Triathlon, in February 2007.
It subsequently became a full member of the African Triathlon Union at a congress in Mauritius in April 2007 and secured full membership of the Nigeria Olympic Committee in May of the same year.
The organisation is therefore approaching two decades of existence at a time when its new leadership is seeking to increase activity and public awareness.
What happens next?
The immediate priorities outlined by Matebese include restoring regular competitions, organising a championship, strengthening the union’s activities and expanding school-based participation.
The administration will also face the longer-term task of creating a sustainable development pathway for Nigerian athletes, from grassroots participation through national competition and international representation.
The success of those plans will depend on the union’s ability to translate its stated priorities into regular competitions, effective athlete development programmes and greater visibility for triathlon across Nigeria.
For Nigerian triathlon, Matebese’s election begins a new administrative chapter, with the focus now shifting from the leadership transition to implementation of the programmes promised by the new executive.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Punch Newspapers — report on Ize Matebese’s election and her 16-vote victory.
- Premium Times — report on the NTU congress, new executive and development plans.
- Sports247 Nigeria — report on Matebese’s plans for national championships and school participation.
