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Handball · History

History of Handball in Nigeria

From the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos to a World Championship and a new generation in 2026.

A Nigerian player leaping to shoot past a goalkeeper

The story

How handball grew in Nigeria

Handball Game was officially initiated in Nigeria by the National Sports Commission (NSC) in the year 1972. The same year, after the establishment of the sports commission, the Handball Association of Nigeria (HAN) was established which later became affiliated to the International Handball Federation (IHF).

The Handball Association of Nigeria is currently known as Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) and it operates under African Handball Confederation as its affiliate.

Nigeria started participating in Handball competitions in the year 1973 as students were selected from different secondary schools across the federation to prepare for the All African Games held in Lagos Nigeria. The game has been popular since 1992 and it’s been played in most schools in Nigeria today.

The Nigeria National Handball team is the national team of Nigeria that participates in international handball competitions. The team comprises of men and women who are passionate about growing the sports in the country. The team competed at the 1999 World Men’s Handball Championship placing 23rd in the game.

Nigeria lost track of handball game over the years due to lack of sponsorship and poor management, and its major challenge was getting players who are passionate about the game but today the current administration is working tirelessly to see that the game is revived back in Nigeria and also restore Nigeria to the peak position in Africa.

The Nigeria handball team also participated in the 2018 African Championship held from 17th to 27th January at Gabon and participated also in the International Handball Competition which was held from April 27 to May 6, 2018, in Abuja.

On the 16 April 2018, Nigeria won both in the junior and youth category of the International Africa Trophy Africa which was held in Niamey Niger.

A Nigerian women’s player shooting under pressure

Verified timeline · checked 30 September 2026

Nigerian handball timeline

  1. 1972The National Sports Commission introduces handball; the Handball Association of Nigeria is formed.
  2. 1973Secondary-school players are selected for the All-Africa Games in Lagos.
  3. 1974Nigeria joins the International Handball Federation.
  4. 1979The men make their African Championship debut.
  5. 1998Best African Championship finish: fourth, in South Africa.
  6. 1999The men play the World Championship in Egypt, finishing 23rd.
  7. 2018Nigeria wins junior and youth titles at the IHF Trophy in Niamey and hosts the national U-12 and U-18 championships at Rowe Park.
  8. 2024The under-18 women play the IHF Women’s Youth World Championship in China, a first.
  9. 2026The men finish sixth at the African Championship in Kigali; Lagos hosts the Tojemarine International Handball Championship.

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Quick answers

History of Nigerian handball: quick answers

When did handball start in Nigeria?

Handball was introduced by the National Sports Commission in 1972, when the Handball Association of Nigeria was formed. Nigerian students first played competitively for the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos.

What is Nigeria’s best result in African handball?

Fourth place at the 1998 African Men’s Handball Championship in South Africa, which led to the 1999 World Championship.