Nigeria’s sports community has been thrown into mourning following the death of Dr. Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu, President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) and former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Tajudeen Abbas.
Sources disclosed that Dunkwu collapsed on Saturday morning while heading to a swimming competition scheduled to hold at a stadium. The event was immediately cancelled following the incident.
“The man collapsed this morning and a swimming competition scheduled to take place at the stadium was cancelled. He died in the car on his way to the competition,” a source said.
In a statement issued by the Media Department of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Dunkwu was described as a passionate advocate for aquatic sports development in Nigeria who dedicated his life to nurturing young athletes and promoting water sports across the country.
The federation noted that his leadership brought renewed energy and strategic direction to the sport, particularly through initiatives focused on grassroots development, athlete welfare, and stronger partnerships with sporting institutions.
Beyond the sporting arena, Dunkwu also earned respect in governance circles for his role at the National Assembly, where he served within the leadership structure of the House of Representatives of Nigeria and worked closely with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on administrative coordination and legislative operations.
Colleagues, athletes and stakeholders across Nigeria’s sports sector have begun paying tribute to the late federation president, describing him as visionary, humble and deeply committed to youth empowerment and national development.
His passing, according to stakeholders, leaves a significant void within the Nigeria Aquatics Federation and the broader Nigerian sporting community, where he was widely regarded as a driving force behind efforts to elevate aquatic sports in the country.
Further details surrounding his death and funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the federation and his family in the coming days, as tributes continue to pour in for the late sports administrator.
