The Nigeria Judo Federation has won the commitment of Inspector General of Police Tunji Disu to support the sport's growth across the country, including sponsorship of the 2026 IGP Judo Championships.
NJF President Dr. Musa Oshodi led a delegation to meet Disu at Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. The federation presented three specific requests: sponsorship for the 2026 championships, deeper collaboration with the police to strengthen tactical training through judo, and help attracting corporate sponsors.
Disu, a 4th Dan Black Belt who took up the title of Life Patron of the NJF, responded positively. "He told us unequivocally that he is ready to partner the federation's aspirations," Oshodi said on Wednesday. "He understands the values of discipline, resilience, and respect that judo instills, and he wants to see those values spread further within the Force and beyond."
The timing of the visit proved significant. Oshodi used the occasion to formally announce Disu's recent promotion from 3rd Dan to 4th Dan and his elevation from Patron to Life Patron of the federation. The IGP's judo background made the discussions more substantive than typical courtesy calls. Oshodi described the engagement as "cordial, productive, and inspiring."
The Nigeria Police Force has long been a pipeline for the country's top judokas. By deepening this partnership, the NJF hopes to expand judo's role both as a competitive sport and as a training tool for security agencies. Oshodi expressed confidence that Disu's support would accelerate growth ahead of the 2026 championships and strengthen the place of judo in national security operations.
The federation now plans to follow up with Disu's office to formalize sponsorship agreements and identify corporate partners willing to back the 2026 championships.
