Nigeria Shines at African Fencing Championships as Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye Wins Gold

Cairo, Egypt — In a historic moment for Nigerian sports, Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye delivered a sensational performance at the 2025 African Fencing Championships, clinching a gold medal in the women’s épée category and marking Nigeria’s first-ever continental title in the sport.

Her remarkable victory has stunned analysts and fans alike, placing Nigeria firmly on the map of African and global fencing.

Breaking Barriers, One Bout at a Time

Akinyosoye, 23, battled through a highly competitive field that included defending champions from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria. In the finals, she defeated top-seeded Egyptian fencer Layla Mahmoud in a tense 15-13 match that kept the crowd on edge until the final strike.

“This is more than a win. It’s a message that Nigerian athletes can excel in any sport — not just football or athletics,” she said tearfully after her victory.

The Lagos-born athlete, who started fencing in 2017 through a local after-school program, has trained consistently with minimal support, relying heavily on crowdfunding and support from her university and family.

Celebrations and Reactions

Back home, her victory is being hailed as a new dawn for Nigeria’s lesser-known sports. The Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) called her win “a breakthrough that will inspire young fencers across the country.”

Minister of Sports, John Enoh, congratulated Akinyosoye, stating:

“Oluwafolayemi’s triumph is a testament to Nigeria’s sporting potential across disciplines. We will continue to support emerging talents like her.”

Social media has exploded with tributes and praise, with hashtags like #NigerianFencer and #OluwaTheChampion trending across platforms.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite her success, Akinyosoye highlighted the challenges facing fencers in Nigeria — limited funding, lack of standard facilities, and minimal exposure to international tournaments.

“We need to invest in fencing academies, protective gear, and more international exposure if we want to build on this momentum,” she urged.

Her next target is qualifying for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, where she hopes to challenge elite fencers from Europe and Asia.

Changing the Narrative in Nigerian Sports

Traditionally dominated by football, track and field, and basketball, Nigeria’s sports culture is gradually embracing disciplines like fencing, taekwondo, gymnastics, and rowing — thanks to rising stars like Akinyosoye.

Observers believe her victory could spark a new era of diversity in Nigerian sports, especially among young girls.

“This gold medal is just the beginning,” said NFF President Olumide George. “We believe Nigeria can become a continental powerhouse in fencing within the next decade.”

News Houz will continue to follow Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye’s journey and provide updates on Nigeria’s rising stars in emerging sports.