*From Kaduna Barracks Ball-Boy To African Commission President, NVBF Boss Vows Sport Will Challenge Football Again
By Edward Wabundani
The journey began in 1969 with a little boy picking balls in the Nigerian Army barracks in Kaduna. Today, that boy, Engr. Nimrod Musa, is President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation and President of the African Beach Volleyball Commission. And he is determined to return Nigerian volleyball to the glory of the 70s and 80s.
Musa, an engineer and philanthropist from Garaha in Adamawa State, joined the NVBF board in 2009 when the sport was “down terribly” after the 2003 All-Africa Games.
Given charge of Beach Volleyball with no funding, he built it from scratch. The result: Nigeria is now a three-time African champion in the indoor game, with over 50 players playing professionally abroad.
Under his leadership, beach volleyball has also grown. Nigeria has represented Africa at the Olympics in Rio, Tokyo, and Paris. “The challenge is that Africa gets only one Olympic ticket for beach volleyball,” Musa told _Huba Newsmagazine_. “We have been coming second. But we will not give up”.
His proudest achievement is grassroots development. “The U17 to U21 players in camp today are products of our programme,” he said. The impact is now economic. “When we host in Abuja, the whole place becomes a market. Parents are now taking children abroad to play. The value of volleyball is rising.”
As President of the African Beach Volleyball Commission, Musa is pushing the continent forward. He donates equipment to weaker nations and plans to launch the African Beach Volleyball Tour before the end of 2026. “Nigeria must lead by example,” he said.
The major challenge, he admits, is funding. “When you build the youth, you build the nation. But we spend money on things that are not important. Sports can take our youths away from vices and insecurity.” Despite this, he has sustained NVBF through “passion.”
“Personality and passion are enemies. People will fight you. But God has never failed me,” Musa said. He recalled encouragement from Senator Oluremi Tinubu: “Your parents gave you the correct name, Nimrod. You are going along with your name.”
Looking ahead, his vision is clear: build a foundation that lasts. “I want whoever comes after me to take volleyball higher. Volleyball will challenge football again. I call on government and corporate Nigeria to invest. We have the product. The future of our youth is in sports.”
Engr. Nimrod Musa’s passion extends beyond volleyball. He also chairs Beach Soccer and Volleyball in Kaduna State. “There is beauty in beach games. Even football and volleyball teams come to train on the beach because it builds strength. As a humanitarian, I love it,” he said.
At home in Adamawa, the challenge is personal. His traditional ruler, the Tol Hoba, Barr Alheri Bulus Nyako PhD JP tasked him with growing the sport across Huba land. Musa responded by building a court in Garaha his hometown in Hong Local Government Area. “Now I see them playing and posting on Facebook. I am happy. I will develop volleyball across the whole Huba traditional area,” he vowed.
On the international stage, Nigeria under Musa has hosted the African Club Women’s Championship sponsored by the Nigeria Customs Service, U18 African championships, and other continental events. Nigerian teams have also competed at the World U19 Championship in Iran and made history by defeating Argentina in snow volleyball.
“We are under pressure to host the Continental Cup and the African Tour in Nigeria,” he revealed. “Nigeria is a big country and we must lead. We have the facilities, we have the players, we have the will.”
Musa’s 10-year vision is ambitious and direct: return Nigeria to the dominance of the 1970s and 1980s. “I want to build a solid foundation so that whoever comes after me will not meet challenges.
Volleyball will challenge football again like it did in those years,” he declared.
The biggest obstacle remains money. “The major challenge is funding,” he said. “When you build the youth, you build the nation.
But we spend money on things that are not important. Sports can take our youths away from social vices and insecurity.” Musa enthused.
So how has NVBF survived? “Passion,” Musa answered without hesitation. “Personality and passion are enemies. People looking for name will fight you. But God has never failed me.”
His parting words to young Nigerians eyeing sports administration is blunt. “It’s not everything that glitters is gold. Be ready for big mountains and challenges.
Government will not give you money. You must start with God. With Him all things are possible.” Engr Musa stressed.
On legacy, Musa is clear. “I want to leave a solid volleyball foundation that will not go back to where it was. Whoever comes after me should take it higher.”
His final appeal is to government and corporate Nigeria: “Invest in volleyball and other sports. We have the product. Just like President Kagame of Rwanda and former President George Weah of Liberia played volleyball, our leaders should support us. The future of Nigerian youth is in sports” Musa concluded.
Full details of this interview will be featured in the next edition of Huba Newsmagazine, a Quarterly publication of Huba Development Association based in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
Mr. Wabundani is a public affairs commentator, he can be reached on Email: endwarmaga@gmail.com
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