Nigeria’s U-19 women’s cricket team’s outstanding performance at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia has catapulted the nation onto the global cricket stage. Their success is not accidental but the result of a meticulously planned four-year development program. This program includes a pipeline of talent nurtured from secondary school competitions, through the National Youth Games, and culminating in the PwC U-17 National Championships. The integration of several U-19 players into the senior national team further underscores the federation’s commitment to long-term player development and the creation of a sustainable pathway for Nigerian cricket talent. This strategic approach, combined with the establishment of high-performance facilities, ensures a continuous flow of skilled players, positioning Nigeria as a rising force in international cricket. The world has taken notice, and the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) is determined to elevate its game further, ensuring the girls maintain their high level of performance for future championships and seamlessly transition to the senior team.
The team’s success can also be attributed to the strong bond between the players and the backroom staff, a dynamic fostered by a carefully crafted support system. The appointment of Kenyan coach Sarah Bhakita and former senior team captain Blessing Etim proved instrumental in shaping the team’s performance and camaraderie. Bhakita, identified for her playing style and leadership qualities, serves as a mentor and mother figure to the young players. Her partnership with Etim, alongside coach Theophilus and a dedicated team manager, has created a nurturing and supportive environment, enabling the players to thrive and reach their full potential. The team’s success showcases the effectiveness of this approach, highlighting the importance of strong leadership and mentorship in developing a winning team. This holistic approach to team building, focusing on both technical skills and team dynamics, has been crucial to the team’s remarkable achievements.
The NCF’s driving force is its commitment to high standards and a five-pillar development plan. The first pillar is to expand the reach of the game, aiming to introduce cricket to 500,000 children annually. The second focuses on developing state-of-the-art facilities across the country, enabling Nigeria to host international tournaments. The third pillar emphasizes the quality of players and coaches, prioritizing grassroots development over recruiting foreign-based Nigerian players. This focus underscores the federation’s commitment to building a sustainable cricket ecosystem within Nigeria. The fourth pillar centers on commercial success, seeking partnerships with sponsors to ensure financial sustainability rather than relying solely on government funding. Finally, the fifth pillar focuses on maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring transparent governance and effective collaboration within the cricket ecosystem. This multi-pronged strategy has been instrumental in the recent successes and lays a strong foundation for future growth.
The U-19 women’s team’s World Cup performance has significantly raised Nigeria’s profile in international cricket, leading to increased interest from other countries eager to compete with them. The NCF embraces this challenge, confident in its ability to manage the logistical demands of a more active international schedule. The federation’s strategic partnerships, a key component of their development plan, are expected to attract commercial sponsors and provide the necessary resources to support the team’s participation in a greater number of competitions. The NCF is committed to providing the platform for these young athletes to continue excelling on the global stage, recognizing the team’s potential to inspire further growth and development of cricket in Nigeria. This proactive approach to seeking partnerships ensures the NCF can capitalize on the team’s success and secure the resources needed for sustained growth.
While women’s cricket has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, the NCF is equally dedicated to replicating this success in the men’s game. Maintaining competitiveness is paramount, especially considering the single African qualifying slot for major international tournaments. The federation’s focus is on elevating the men’s team’s ranking, aiming to compete in Division One and qualify for the U-19 World Cup. Further ambitions include participating in the T20 World Cup and eventually the ODI World Cup. The NCF emphasizes a process-driven approach, focusing on consistent performance and gradual improvement to achieve these long-term goals. The development of a robust domestic league structure is also a priority, providing regular playing opportunities for both male and female cricketers, further enhancing the overall competitiveness of Nigerian cricket.
Building upon the successes of 2024, a year of consolidation and the emergence of high-performance focus, the NCF has ambitious plans for 2025 and beyond. The key objectives include achieving a top-20 world ranking for the women’s team and a top-25 ranking for the men’s team, opening doors to higher-level competitions like the Challenge League and ODI cricket. Infrastructure development remains a priority, with plans to complete the Kaduna Oval and establish similar facilities across all geopolitical zones, ensuring access to quality cricket facilities nationwide. Strengthening women’s cricket further, with a target of introducing one million new girls to the game in the next five years, aligns with the International Cricket Council’s global strategy and reinforces the NCF’s commitment to gender equity in the sport. The federation also seeks to capitalize on the growing popularity of Nigerian cricket by securing commercial partnerships, attracting both domestic and international brands. The launch of a Nigerian Super League is also on the horizon, further bolstering the domestic competitive landscape. This multifaceted strategy, encompassing player development, infrastructure improvement, commercial growth, and strategic partnerships, sets the stage for a bright future for Nigerian cricket.
The NCF is proactive in creating opportunities for the national teams to gain valuable playing experience. The South-South female league will be expanded into a national female league, ensuring regular competition for women cricketers. An international invitational tournament in Abuja, participation in the Kwibuka tournament in Rwanda, and specific high-performance training programs will further enhance the players’ development. The men’s team will focus on qualifying for the November World Cup qualifiers. The planned launch of the Nigerian Super League promises to create a vibrant domestic competition, providing additional playing opportunities and fostering further growth of the game within the country. This comprehensive approach to competition ensures that Nigerian cricketers have ample opportunities to hone their skills and compete at various levels, contributing to the overall development of the sport.
