The National Sports Commission(NSC) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Chamberlain Dunkwu, President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF), describing his passing as a major loss to Nigeria’s sporting community.
The federation confirmed that Dunkwu died in the early hours of Saturday after a brief illness, bringing to an end the tenure of a sports administrator widely recognised for his efforts to develop aquatic sports in the country.
In a letter made available to Sunday PUNCH, the commission said Dunkwu played a significant role in promoting swimming and other water sports in Nigeria, particularly through initiatives aimed at nurturing young athletes and expanding participation in aquatic disciplines.
Reacting to the development, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, described the news as deeply saddening, noting that Dunkwu’s commitment to sports development left a lasting impact on the sector.
“The news of Dr. Chamberlain Dunkwu’s passing is deeply saddening. He was a committed sports administrator who devoted his energy to the growth of aquatic sports in Nigeria. His passion for discovering and nurturing young talents will not be forgotten,” Olopade said.
He added, “Dr. Dunkwu believed strongly in the power of sports to transform lives, especially among young people. His vision for aquatic sports development was clear, and his dedication to that cause was admirable. The Nigerian sports family will surely miss his leadership, wisdom, and enthusiasm.”
During his tenure, Dunkwu was widely acknowledged for promoting grassroots development programmes, strengthening support systems for athletes and encouraging closer collaboration among stakeholders within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.
Beyond sports administration, he also served in government as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, where he contributed to administrative coordination and institutional leadership within the National Assembly.
In announcing his passing, the Nigeria Aquatics Federation noted that Dunkwu remained actively involved in sports development until his final days, including supporting youth-focused initiatives aimed at expanding swimming across the country.
“In total submission to the will of the Almighty God, the Most Merciful, we regret to announce the passing of Late Dr. Dunkwu Chamberlain, President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, who passed away in the early hours of March 7, 2026, after a brief illness,” the federation said in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Taiwo Oriss.
The federation also disclosed that before his death, Dunkwu had sponsored the second edition of the “Swim to Future” event, which had been scheduled to hold on Saturday as part of efforts to encourage youth participation in swimming.
