Nigeria Customs Backs New Volleyball Coach Ryan Masajedi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed confidence in newly appointed Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) Technical Adviser Ryan Masajedi, saying his international experience will boost the country’s quest for continental success as preparations intensify for the 2026 African Nations Women’s Volleyball Championship.

Key Highlights

• Nigeria Customs welcomes new NVBF Technical Adviser Ryan Masajedi.
• Coach oversees first training session with Super Eagles women’s volleyball team.
• Customs predicts Nigeria can dominate African volleyball with proper guidance.
• Players urged to remain disciplined ahead of the 2026 African Championship in Kenya.
• Former Commonwealth Games officials rally support for the national team.

Head of Sports at the Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, gave the assurance during a visit to the national senior women’s volleyball team’s training camp in Abuja, where he observed Masajedi’s first training session with the squad.

Onikeku described the foreign coach as a major addition to Nigerian volleyball, noting that his technical expertise would help improve player development and strengthen the country’s competitiveness on the continental stage.

“We are delighted to welcome Coach Ryan Masajedi to Nigeria. He has a wealth of experience and we believe he will add great value to our volleyball programme,” Onikeku said.

“Nigeria has an abundance of raw talent, and with the right technical guidance and structure, we can dominate volleyball in Africa.”

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He urged the players to maximise the opportunity of working under the experienced coach by remaining focused, disciplined and fully committed throughout the camping programme.

Also speaking during the visit, Nigeria Volleyball Federation board member representing the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN), Chinedu Onikeku (OLY), challenged the players to remain dedicated as they prepare for the 2026 African Nations Women’s Volleyball Championship in Kenya.

The 2003 All Africa Games gold medallist expressed confidence that the team has the quality to excel on the continental stage.

“The players must remain diligent, disciplined and committed throughout the camping period. They have the talent to make a huge impact at the African Nations Championship in Kenya, and I believe they can achieve something special if they work together as a team,” she said.

Samuel Onikeku and Chinedu Onikeku recently returned from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where Team Nigeria finished seventh on the overall medals table. During their visit, they encouraged the players and formally welcomed Masajedi as he begins his assignment with the national women’s volleyball team.