Eniola Bolaji: Nigeria’s Para-Badminton Queen Crowned World No. 1

Emmanuel Olonade

Eniola Bolaji has made history as the first African to reach World No. 1 in Women’s SL3 Para-Badminton. Her recent silver medal at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championships propelled her to the top spot.

Born on September 21, 2005, in Ibadan, Nigeria, Mariam Eniola Bolaji started her journey in para-badminton after being discovered in Kwara State about four years ago. At just 16, she became the first African to win gold at the 2021 Spanish Para-Badminton International Championship, defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna. She continued dominating with a bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics Nigeria’s first medal there and Africa’s first in para-badminton plus golds at events like the Egypt International and Abia Para Badminton Tournament.

Bolaji defended her Egypt International title in January 2026 and reached the final at the Bahrain World Championships, earning silver despite a 21-12, 21-17 loss to Japan’s Shino Kawai. This performance, with 63,950 points, dethroned Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh on the Badminton World Federation rankings released February 17, 2026. Badminton Federation of Nigeria President Francis Orbih hailed it as “the biggest news of the year,” crediting her stability and tournament momentum.

As a young Nigerian athlete, Bolaji empowers women in para-sports, showing resilience in the SL3 category for lower limb impairments. Her success highlights Nigeria’s investments in para-athletics, positioning the Badminton Federation of Nigeria as a leader under the National Sports Commission.