BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH
Nigerian-American fencer Inkosi Brou will headline Nigeria’s team at the 2026 African Senior Fencing Championships in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, running May 31 to June 6.
It’s the 18-year-old’s second outing at the continental tournament. Earlier this year, Brou became the first Nigerian to crack the global Top 10 in Men’s Sabre Junior rankings. Born in the U.S. and grandson of late NAFDAC DG Prof. Dora Akunyili, he has competed for Nigeria since October 2023. He also claimed Nigeria’s first international fencing medal — silver at the 2024 World Tournoi Satellite Cup in Iceland.
He’ll be joined in sabre by Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye, 21, and Phoenix Zaoku-Sabre. Akinyosoye was Nigeria’s top performer at the 2025 Lagos edition, reaching the individual quarterfinals. The UK-based fencer previously represented England at cadet and junior levels.
Brou is eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to become Nigeria’s first Olympic fencer. He’s a regular on the FIE World Cup circuit.
National coach Ibrahim Alogba backs the squad: “I am confident in the team. Hopefully, we can have more local-based athletes joining their foreign-based counterparts. This tournament is excellent preparation for the 2026 Commonwealth Championships later this year.
