In a major strategic restructuring, the Nigeria Archery Federation (NAF) has appointed two of the nation’s most distinguished archers, Aliyu Garga and Olatayo Olasehinde, to pivotal positions on its executive board.
The reorganization, approved by Federation President Abdullahi Muhammed and confirmed in letters signed by Secretary General Phillips Ayo, aims to leverage the expertise of veteran athletes to drive the sport’s sustainable growth and technical advancement in Nigeria.
Aliyu Garga, the President of both Arch Archery Club and Arewa Knights Club, has been named the National Head Coach of the Archery National Team. Joining him in the leadership ranks is Olatayo Olasehinde, a prominent member of the Arch Archery Club, who has been appointed as the Director of Strategy and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Both men have been central figures in the recent elevation of Nigerian archery on the continental stage:
The “Renaissance” Era: In 2022, Olasehinde was a key member of the squad that secured two silver medals at the 12th African Archery Championship in Pretoria—Nigeria’s historic debut at the event.
Continental Dominance: Garga was instrumental in Nigeria’s record-breaking performance at the 14th African Championships in Abidjan, where the team amassed an impressive haul of 10 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
Expanded Board Appointments
The federation also announced several other strategic roles designed to broaden the sport’s reach and inclusivity:
- Kachollom Enyenihi: Director of Women Development
- Akogun Abimbola: Director of Grassroots Development
- Emmanuel Oyeleke: Director of Marketing
This leadership overhaul comes just ahead of the 2026 National Archery Open Championship, scheduled to take place in Abuja from April 20–26. By integrating seasoned competitors into administrative and coaching roles, the Federation aims to transition from a period of “renaissance” to one of established dominance in African archery.
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