CGC Volleyball Premier League Raises the Bar for Nigerian Volleyball

By Eyere Ekuta

After fifteen days of elite competition, tactical battles and standout performances, the first phase of the 2026 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League has concluded in Abuja, with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) emerging as the dominant force in both the men's and women's categories.

Held from June 15 to June 27 at the Indoor Sports Hall, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, the third edition of the country's premier volleyball competition once again reinforced its status as Nigeria's highest standard domestic volleyball championship.

Sponsored by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and organised by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), the league featured 26 clubs, 13 men's and 13 women's teams, from across the country, competing not only for league honours but also for valuable national team consideration ahead of Nigeria's upcoming international assignments.

Behind the excitement on the court was an extensive support system comprising the Local Organising Committee, technical officials, referees, medical personnel, security agencies, volunteers, media partners, the spectators/fans and the Nigeria Customs Service, whose continued investment has played a significant role in elevating the quality and profile of the league.

The Nigeria Customs Service enjoyed an outstanding first phase, finishing at the top of both league tables.

The men's team completed a perfect campaign, winning all 12 matches to amass the maximum 36 points, while conceding just two sets throughout the competition an indication of their consistency, squad depth and tactical discipline.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Spikers finished second with 29 points, closely followed by defending champions The Chief of Naval (CNS) Spikers on 28 points, while Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) secured fourth place with 26 points, leaving the title race finely poised ahead of the second phase.

The women's division proved even more competitive.

Although the Nigeria Customs Service women suffered a dramatic five-set defeat to The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Spikers on the final day after staging a remarkable comeback from two sets down, the single point earned from the encounter proved crucial.

Customs retained top spot with 34 points, just one ahead of COAS Spikers on 33 points, while NSCDC completed the top three with 31 points.

The narrow gap between the leading teams guarantees an exciting conclusion when the league resumes for its decisive phase.

The closing day attracted several distinguished guests, including the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, who watched the Nigeria Police Force team in action.

Impressed by the determination displayed by the Police side despite limited preparation resources, he pledged greater investment in sports across the Force.

"You have seen the tenacity of a policeman in action. They have made me proud," he said.

The Inspector-General further revealed plans to support not only volleyball but other sports (judo and others), describing sports as an important tool for discipline, unity and institutional development.

Reflecting on the competition, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Arc. Adamu Tanimu, described the first phase as one of the most successful in recent years.

According to him, the league attracted an average of about 5,000 online viewers daily from nearly 200 countries, further highlighting the growing international visibility of Nigerian volleyball.

He praised the unwavering support of the Nigeria Customs Service and described Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as a key driver of the sport's recent growth.

"His commitment has transformed the domestic league and created opportunities for athletes to compete at a higher level," Tanimu noted. 

For the Nigeria Customs Service, success on the court reflects deliberate planning off it.

The Commander of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Deputy Comptroller-General Sulaiman Chiroma, said the Service's investment in coaching education, athlete welfare, equipment and competition exposure has continued to produce measurable results.

Beyond domestic success, he explained that the long-term objective is to prepare teams capable of competing successfully at continental level.

"Our target goes beyond winning the league. We are building teams that can compete for honours in Africa, and this first phase has shown that we are moving in the right direction," he said.

The conclusion of the first phase also marked the beginning of preparations for Nigeria's international campaign.

The Nigeria Volleyball Federation invited 20 players to camp ahead of the 2026 CAVB Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers, scheduled for July 13–23 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

The squad was selected based largely on performances during the Premier League, underscoring the competition's importance as the federation's primary talent identification platform.

Head Coach Oladipupo Taiwo Gabriel, assisted by Tswevini Yohanna and Jonah Adamu, will lead the team into camp at the Package B Sports Complex, Abuja, before departure for Côte d'Ivoire.

Chairman of the Technical Committee, Prince Tunde Omisore, expressed confidence in the selected squad, noting that the quality displayed during the league provided the technical crew with an excellent basis for player selection.

With the opening phase concluded, attention now shifts to the decisive second phase, where consistency, squad management and composure under pressure will ultimately determine this season's champions.

The Nigeria Customs Service enters that phase as the benchmark in both categories, but with defending champions CNS Spikers, COAS Spikers, NSCDC and several other ambitious clubs still firmly in contention, the battle for the 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League title is far from settled.

One thing, however, is beyond doubt.

The standard of Nigerian volleyball continues to rise, and if the first fifteen days are any indication, the concluding phase promises to deliver an even higher level of competition.