Canoeing, sailing, surfing, powerboats and centuries-old regattas on Nigeria’s lagoons, rivers and coast.
Photo: Obii Okongwu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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A nation of rivers and lagoons
Watersports in Nigeria
Nigeria is a country shaped by water. The Niger and Benue rivers, the Lagos Lagoon, the creeks of the Niger Delta and more than 850 km of Atlantic coastline have given Nigerians a canoe culture that goes back centuries, from the war canoes of the Delta kingdoms to the colourful regattas that still light up Rivers, Bayelsa and Lagos.
Today watersports in Nigeria range from Olympic canoe sprint on Abuja’s Jabi Lake to sailing from the Lagos Yacht Club, surfing at Tarkwa Bay, jet skiing on the lagoon and, in October 2025, the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, the first electric powerboat race ever held in Africa.
Watersports played in Nigeria
Watersport
Where in Nigeria
Governing body
Canoe and kayak (sprint and slalom)
Jabi Lake (Abuja), Lagos Lagoon, Epe, Ilaje and Arogbo (Ondo)
The athletes who took Nigerian watersports to the Olympic Games.
1
AB
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Ayomide Bello
Canoe sprint (C-1, C-2)
Born 4 April 2002
Nigerian roots: From the riverine communities of Ondo and Lagos.
4African Games golds 2019
2Olympic Games
Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024
Nigeria’s first female Olympic canoeist.
2
BO
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Beauty Otuedo
Canoe sprint (C-2)
Born 10 October 1997
Nigerian roots: Raised in a fishing family.
2024Paris Olympian
Paris 2024 with Ayomide Bello
Paddled the C-2 500 m at the Paris Olympics.
3
JA
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Johnathan Akinyemi
Canoe slalom (K-1)
Born 22 November 1988
Nigerian roots: British-Nigerian; raced for Nigeria from 2007.
2012London Olympian
2016Rio Olympian
Olympic Games 2012 and 2016
Nigeria’s first Olympic canoeist.
4
ET
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Esther Toko
Rowing (single sculls)
Born 28 March 2000
Nigerian roots: From Arogbo, Ondo State; began as a canoeist.
2020Tokyo Olympian
Tokyo 2020
Nigeria’s first home-based Olympic rower.
Statistics · Checked 30 September 2026
Watersports in numbers
2025
E1 Lagos GP
Africa’s first electric powerboat race
1932
Lagos Yacht Club
Founded
4
African Games golds
Ayomide Bello, 2019
3
Paris 2024 canoe places
Won at the 2023 Abuja qualifiers
2016
UNESCO listing
Argungu Fishing Festival
1,000 m
Canoe lane
Jabi Lake, Abuja
Heritage
Regattas and festivals
Long before modern watersports, riverine communities raced and paraded decorated canoes. Today’s regattas in Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom, the Lagos Boat Regatta each December and the UNESCO-listed Argungu Fishing Festival keep that heritage alive. Read more in our history of watersports.
Photo: Ighophua, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Quick answers
Watersports in Nigeria: facts and figures
What watersports are popular in Nigeria?
Canoeing and kayaking, rowing, sailing, powerboating and jet skiing, surfing, swimming, and traditional boat regattas. Lagos is the main centre, with Jabi Lake in Abuja the home of Olympic canoeing.
Has Nigeria competed in Olympic canoeing?
Yes. Johnathan Akinyemi raced canoe slalom at London 2012 and Rio 2016, and Ayomide Bello became Nigeria’s first female Olympic canoeist at Tokyo 2020, then raced again at Paris 2024 with Beauty Otuedo.
Where can I surf in Nigeria?
Tarkwa Bay and Lighthouse Beach in Lagos, reached by boat, are the best-known surf spots. The Nigeria Surfing Federation held a national competition at Tarkwa Bay in 2023.
What was the E1 Lagos Grand Prix?
Africa’s first electric powerboat race, part of the E1 World Championship, held on the Lagos Lagoon on 4 and 5 October 2025 and won by Team Brazil.
Who governs canoeing and sailing in Nigeria?
The Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation (NRCSF), whose president is Dr Akin Ogunbiyi (elected October 2025).
