SWAN confers fellowship award on sahel sports news editor, Abdulgafar Oladimeji
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN has honored the news editor, sahel sports news, Abdulgafar Olawale Oladimeji with the professional status of the Fellow of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, FSWAN.
The association in a letter dated October 13, 2025, signed by the secretary general of the association, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo said the recognition is given to Abdulgafar Oladimeji , for his outstanding professionalism and enduring service to the growth and strength of sports journalism in Nigeria.
Amb. Ikenna said “ as a valued pioneer and pillar in our profession this recognition is a token of appreciation for your sacrifice and legacy in promoting excellence and credibility in sports reporting.
Our checks reveal that, Abdulgafar Oladimeji began his sports journalism career in 1996 as a cub sports reporter with now defunct People and Events newspaper.
In his career as a journalist, he worked as a freelance sports presenter with Super Screen TV in Lagos, before he travelled abroad to work with Daily Express newspaper, he served as the West African correspondent with goal.com.
He is the founding sports editor of Daily Express newspaper, republic of The Gambia. He also served as the co sports anchor, sportsfile with wel respected African sports media guru, Peter Gomez, West Coast Radio, The Gambia, co anchor sports panorama with veteran sports journalist, Moses Ndene , City Limit Radio , The Gambia.
He returned to Nigeria in 2007, he worked briefly with Independent newspaper as a special correspondent, before joining Daily Trust newspaper as a reporter , he worked with National Mirrors , Kano Correspondent, then proceed to Leadership newspaper also as Kano correspondent.
Abdulgafar Oladimeji is in the era of the pioneer digital sports journalists in Nigeria, when founded pyramid sports news in 2007.
He played an frontline role in founding the now defunct judicialsketch.com, pyramiitportsnews ,com, he is the CEO of Bantabba Sports owners of sahelsportsnews.com.
He is currently member of the editorial board, Nigerian tracker,.
He obtained his certificate in arbitration from Chattered Institute of Arbitration, CiArb in 2013, he is currently member of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, ICCA, Netherland.
He is winner of the City Limits awards in 2007. He has facilitated over 30 sports journalism human resource development sessions organized by SWAN, NFCA, SWIBODA, CS-CRIN. GPSJA.
Abdulgafar Oladimeji is an doctoral fellow of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, he hold qualifications in philosophy, journalism and law from renown institutions in the UK, Qatar, France and Ireland.
Aside his degree in the field of philosophy, he obtained over 60 Continuous Professional Development . CPD certificates from prestigious institutions from across the globe.
In the years of his work as a sports journalist, covering major global sports events, Abdulgafar Oladimeji has travelled to over 30 countries across Africa, America and Asia.
An PFSA and IPSO football scout, he is a licensed Corporate and Business law consultant.
He is the founder, Sports Without Borders development Association. SWIBODA, he is the CEO Naim Adebayo Limited, Arab republic of Egypt.
Nigeria electoral umpire, INEC Kano, under Prof Risqua Arabu Shehu in 2023 had appointed Abdulgafar Olawale Oladimeji as an INEC Youth and Sports ambassador.
He is the CEO, Wazobia Sports Events services , state of Qatar.
Born in Kano in 1975, into the family of Alhaji Busari Oladimeji of the Gbadamosi family in Offa, Abdulgafar Olawale Oladimeji is an indigene of Offa, Kwara state.
He has two handbook to his credit, namely “Know The Game” and “Laws you Must Know As A Journalist.”
A renown clergyman and sports commentator, Pastor Joseph Andishu described Abdugafar as an sports institution.
According to him, Abdulgafar has always demonstrated how sports could be deployed to develop citizens and also communal growth.
He said “ one quality has stood Abdulgafar tall like an iroko, he is decent, transparent and a firm believer in huma development through sports.”
Pastor Andishu prayed that God would continue to grow SWAN and endowed it with the right membership roll call that would be forthright in the pursuit of the truth in their work , serving as the mirror of the society. He enjoined SWA members to aways remain fearless and dedicated to their work and service to humanity.
In his reaction to the honour bestowed on him, Abdulgafar Oladimeji said ” this is heart warming and distinguish, distinguish in the sense that this is an award that is recognized by SWAN statues.
” I am delighted and am happy, I am a SWAN person and would always be one all the days of my life. Thank you SWAN for the honour.”
” I dedicate this award to my maternal grand father, his royal highness ,late chief Samson Andishu.
