FEI team in Nigeria Sep 28-Oct 1 to evaluate equestrian affiliation bid
From Monday, 28 September to Thursday, 1 October 2026, a Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) delegation is visiting Nigeria to assess the country’s readiness for international affiliation. The four‑day trip is the final stage of Nigeria’s FEI affiliation process ahead of the FEI General Assembly’s consideration of the application, according to the Nigeria Equestrian Federation (NEF). During the visit, the delegation will meet the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the National Sports Commission (NSC), inspect equestrian facilities, and engage stakeholders involved in the sport’s development and administration. It will evaluate governance, technical structures, athlete and official development, veterinary systems, horse welfare, facilities, competitions, and anti‑doping and medication arrangements.
NEF President Anthony Obiorah called the visit a significant milestone, stressing that affiliation aims to integrate Nigerian equestrian sport into the international system and ensure governance, technical structures, athletes, officials, horse welfare, veterinary systems and competitions meet global standards. He acknowledged challenges in infrastructure, funding, technical capacity and access to specialised services, noting the federation is working to strengthen training and competition facilities, veterinary support, biosecurity arrangements and technical development, with horse welfare remaining central.
Vice President Vanessa Asuni said the federation is creating structured pathways for riders, coaches, grooms, judges, stewards, veterinarians and other technical personnel, and plans to leverage diaspora expertise and school‑based programmes to broaden access. If FEI recognition is granted, the focus will shift to strengthening the route from national to international competition and positioning Nigeria as a host for FEI‑sanctioned events, which would expose local talent to international standards and create business opportunities in the equestrian sector.
Will Nigeria’s equestrian sector leverage this FEI visit to secure affiliation and unlock international competition and business opportunities?