Nigeria has etched its name into the annals of African archery history with a landmark performance at the 2025 African Archery Continental Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The nation celebrated its first-ever individual podium finish at the continental showpiece, securing two silver medals and cementing its rising status in the sport.
Abubakar's Watershed Moment for Nigerian Archery
The historic breakthrough was spearheaded by Aliyu Abubakar, whose electrifying run in the individual compound event captivated spectators in Abidjan. Displaying remarkable poise, power, and precision, Abubakar battled through the qualification rounds and eliminations to earn a spot in the gold-medal match against a favoured opponent from Mauritius.
Although he ultimately settled for silver, his performance was nothing short of revolutionary. This medal marks Nigeria's first individual medal at the African Archery Championships, a watershed moment that signals the arrival of a new heavyweight contender from West Africa and is set to inspire future generations of Nigerian archers.
Team Silver and a Story of Grit
The success story continued in the compound men’s team event, where Nigeria's seasoned trio delivered a masterclass in tactical unity. Damilola Sholademi, Aliyu Abubakar, and Aliyu Abubakar Garga pushed through each knockout stage with discipline and resilience, forcing the long-dominant Mauritian team to dig deep in a tense final.
The team silver medal reinforces Nigeria's reputation as a consistent podium contender and highlights the growing depth of talent within the national program. One of the most compelling narratives of the championship was the grit shown by international star Damilola Sholademi. His campaign was severely disrupted by a sudden and acute episode of sciatica, which limited his movement and compromised his stability.
Despite visible pain, Sholademi competed with unwavering determination, contributing decisively to the team's success. Now undergoing treatment, the archer has vowed a strong return, famously calling this setback "a bend, not the end" on his path to future international glory.
Youth Talent and a Bright Future
In the youth division, Nigeria's promising Under-18 recurve archer, Alexander Harry-Erin, delivered a spirited performance before exiting in the round of 16. While the young talent fell short of his ultimate goal, his progression is seen as a positive sign for Nigeria's developmental pipeline. He has since returned to focused training with his coach, sharpening both his technique and mental discipline for future competitions.
With this historic double-silver finish, headlined by the nation's groundbreaking individual medal, Nigeria's archery program stands at the threshold of a new era. The Abidjan performance is a testament to a national setup defined by ambition, discipline, and steady growth, firmly reinforcing Nigeria's place among the continent's emerging forces in competitive archery.
