Nigeria’s para badminton sensation, Eniola Bolaji, has reached a historic milestone after emerging as the world number one player in the women’s SL3 category, according to the latest rankings released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
Bolaji’s rise to the summit of global para badminton follows her impressive silver medal performance at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championship held in Bahrain.
In a fiercely contested final at the New Capital Hall on February 14, Bolaji narrowly lost 2–0 (21–12, 21–17) to Japan’s world number seven, Shino Kawai, settling for silver. Despite the defeat, her outstanding tournament run earned her enough ranking points to overtake Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh, clinching the top spot in the global rankings.
Bolaji’s surge was further strengthened by her dominant showing at the Egypt International in January, where she successfully defended her title for the second consecutive year, reinforcing her consistency and rising dominance on the international circuit.
Reacting to the landmark achievement, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, described Bolaji’s emergence as world number one as a historic moment for both Nigeria and the African continent.
According to Orbih, the achievement reflects deliberate investment, structured development, and sustained support for para badminton in Nigeria.
“This is the biggest news of the year, with Eniola Bolaji attaining the world No. 1 position following her participation in the 2024 Paralympic Games. She would likely have reached this level earlier if she had competed in more tournaments last year. However, she regained full stability last season and has carried that momentum into this year with remarkable performances,” Orbih stated.
He also commended the National Sports Commission, the Abia State Government, and GIG Logistics for their strategic support, which he said has been instrumental in driving the growth of para badminton across the country.
Orbih further praised Bolaji’s resilience and fighting spirit, noting that she became the first African athlete to win a silver medal at the Para Badminton World Championship.
“Although she narrowly missed out on gold, her performance has set a new benchmark for African para badminton. The federation remains committed to providing her with the necessary support as she prepares for upcoming competitions. We are confident she will continue to make Nigeria and Africa proud,” he added.
Bolaji’s elevation to world number one represents a defining chapter in her career, reinforcing her status as one of the leading figures in global para badminton and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes across Africa.
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