Umuahia (Nigeria): The 2025 National Division I and II Nigerian Volleyball League ended on Saturday in Umuahia, Abia, with the teams from Abuja clinching the top positions across multiple categories.
The tournament was held at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The Division Two Men’s category, Light Volleyball Club from Abuja claimed the championship title, with Bayelsa Volleyball Club securing second place, and Rhino Volleyball Club from Plateau State taking third.
The Division One Women’s competition saw similar success for Abuja-based teams, with VIP Volleyball Club emerging as champions.
The Fire Service Volleyball Club finished in second position, while Abia’s own Excelsior Volleyball Club earned a podium finish in third place.
In the Division One Men’s category, Defence Spiker Volleyball Club from Abuja captured the championship, and Ajase Ipo Volleyball Club earned second place honours. At the same time, Lifecamp Volleyball Club rounded out the top three finishers.
The President of the Nigerian Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Musa Nimrod, commended the Abia Government for successfully hosting the NVBF.
The president, who was represented by the Second Vice President of the Federation, Mr Adamu Tanimu, described the event as a resounding success and commended the environment provided by the Abia Government.
He noted that the successful completion of the event, which attracted teams from across the country, including Sokoto, Ekiti, Bayelsa, and Katsina, proved a significant point.
Nimrod said: “It is time to prove one big thing, that Abia State is an environment where it is safe and beautiful to play national sports.
“Well, it has been an enormous success, you can see everybody is happy, especially the ambient environment provided by the Governor of Abia State.
“We have fully confirmed that Abia State is one of those states where you can properly engage yourself in sporting activities in the country.”
He also expressed gratitude to God for the success of the event, describing the league as “a great task” crucial to the development of volleyball in Nigeria.
The NVBF President emphasised the growing significance of volleyball and sports in general within global politics, assuring of the Federation’s commitment to excellence on the international stage.
“It is essential to the development of volleyball in the country, which is fast becoming an important sport, considering how sports have become important in the politics of the world today, all over the world.
“I want to send this message to the whole country that NBVF is doing everything possible to make sure that we make Nigeria proud in the international arena so that Nigeria stands firm and counted.
“This is just the beginning, and we pray for the wherewithal and the wisdom to be able to sustain this particular project,” Nimrod said.
Looking ahead, the NVBF President indicated the Federation’s readiness to deepen its partnership with the state for future, even bigger tournaments.
“We have the Premier League, which is at a higher level than this.
“So we are at all times ready to partner with Abia State to host such events,” Nimrod affirmed.
He also thanked all stakeholders, including the press, for their support in ensuring the successful conclusion of the league.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Nwobilor Ananaba, attributed the state’s capacity to host such events to the support of Gov Alex Otti.
Ananaba highlighted the broader impact of the tournament, noting that the event had contributed to the growth of the local economy.
“The volleyball league has significantly boosted the local economy, as participants’ spending on hotels, restaurants, and transportation has provided a substantial stimulus to local businesses,” he said
According to him, the hosting of the volleyball league and other competitions in the state stood as proof of Abia’s safety.
He added that the league had significantly contributed to youth engagement, emphasising that bringing young people together for such events directly helped deter crime and keep them off the streets.
Also, the Director of Sports in Abia, Mr Obioma George, described the tournament as a success.
George further described the event as “competitive, tight, and tough,” while expressing confidence that the volleyball league would return to the state next year.
The event featured the participation of numerous clubs from across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, competing in both the male and female categories of the Division One and Two leagues.
The tournament concluded with teams from Abuja demonstrating dominance across the categories.
