Nigeria has achieved a major milestone in international sports administration following the election of Adeyinka Samuel as President of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, CFF. The federation announced the development in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday.
Adeyinka Samuel defeated the incumbent president, Marie-France Dufour, during the federation’s elective Annual General Meeting held at Rugby School Nigeria, Atlantic City, Lagos, on Saturday. Samuel secured 14 votes, while Dufour received six votes.
The election makes Samuel the first Nigerian and African to lead the Commonwealth Fencing Federation. His victory also ends a longstanding leadership pattern that had largely seen the federation headed by representatives from countries including Scotland, Australia and Canada. Reacting to his election, Samuel described the development as both an honour and a responsibility.
“This is a great honour and a responsibility that I do not take lightly,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to members of the Commonwealth fencing community for entrusting him with the leadership of the federation. According to Samuel, his election presents an opportunity to expand fencing across Commonwealth countries while creating better prospects for athletes.
“I believe we can work together to grow the sport, support our athletes and make fencing more accessible and inclusive across the Commonwealth,” he said.
The new CFF president said the outcome also reflected Africa’s increasing influence in international fencing and could usher in a new phase for the sport across the Commonwealth.
His election comes as Nigeria hosts the Senior and Veteran Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos, attracting participants from more than 20 countries. The ongoing championships are also featuring Under-23 and Wheelchair Fencing as recognised medal events for the first time, highlighting efforts to promote greater inclusion within the sport.
Delegates at the federation’s meeting commended Samuel’s leadership record and his progression from an elite athlete to President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation. Under his leadership of the Nigerian federation, the country has hosted International Fencing Federation-sanctioned Junior World Cups and African Championships.
Nigeria has also made history as the first African nation to host the Senior Commonwealth Fencing Championships. The achievements have strengthened the country’s profile within international fencing and contributed to Adeyinka Samuel’s emergence as a leading figure in the sport’s administration.
Samuel said his election went beyond personal recognition, describing it as an important development for African representation in international sports leadership. He said the new position would provide an opportunity to contribute to the growth of fencing while ensuring athletes across the Commonwealth receive greater support and opportunities to compete.
