Eniola Bolaji wins African Women in Badminton award — second Nigerian to claim prize

Eniola Bolaji has been named the recipient of the 2024 African Women in Badminton prize. 

The 19-year-old was named the winner by the Badminton Confederation of Africa on Thursday.

Bolaji is the second Nigerian to win the coveted prize since Obiageli Solaja in 2019.

Bolaji had an impressive 2024, during which she won bronze in the women’s para badminton SL3 category. She became the first African, male or female, to win an Olympic or Paralympic medal.

The teenager has also continued her impressive form into 2025.

She won three international gold medals within the first three months of the year.

Bolaji won a gold medal at the global para-badminton championship held in Cairo, Egypt, at the end of January.

She also won the level two of the Spanish Para-badminton International tournament on March 9.

Then, a week later, she topped her momentum with another gold medal in the level one of the Spanish Para-badminton International tournament.

Over the past two years, Bolaji has participated in 12 international championships, winning all of them.