Eniola Bolaji’s achievement places the BFN ahead of other federations under the National Sports Commission in producing a world number one athlete
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Nigeria’s player and Olympic medallist, Eniola Bolaji, has become the first African to rise to World No. 1 in Women’s SL3 Para-Badminton, making history as the first athlete under any affiliate of the National Sports Commission to attain the top spot in global rankings.
The latest rankings released on Tuesday, February 17, by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed Bolaji’s ascent to the summit following her historic silver medal finish at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championship in Bahrain.
Bolaji secured her place in history after advancing to the final of the global showpiece, held at the New Capital Hall in Bahrain on February 14. She eventually fell 2–0 (21–12, 21–17) to Japan’s world No. 7, Shino Kawai, but her runner-up finish earned her enough ranking points to dethrone Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh as world number one.
In the process, Bolaji also became the first African athlete to win a silver medal at the World Para Badminton Championship, a milestone that underscores Nigeria’s growing footprint in para-sports. Her ranking surge was further strengthened by her triumph at the Egypt International in January, where she successfully defended her title for the second consecutive year.
President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, described Bolaji’s achievement as a defining moment for Nigerian and African sports. “This is the biggest news of the year, Eniola Bolaji claiming the World No. 1 spot following her participation in the 2024 Paralympic Games. She would likely have attained this position earlier if she had competed in more tournaments last year”, Orbih said. “She regained full stability last season and has carried that momentum into this year, already featuring in two major tournaments with outstanding performances”.
Eniola Bolaji’s achievement places the BFN ahead of other federations under the National Sports Commission in producing a world number one athlete, reflecting deliberate investment, structured athlete development, and sustained technical support within the federation. Her recognition highlights how Nigerian athletes are increasingly shaping global conversations in para-sports and elevating the nation’s profile on the world stage.