Makurdi, the Benue State capital, etched its name into Nigeria’s tennis history following the successful conclusion of the Dr Joseph Ikyaator National Tennis Open, organised by the Orseer Ikyaator Foundation.
The tournament marked a historic first for the state, becoming the first nationally ranked tennis competition ever hosted in Benue State, while also emerging as the highest-paying tennis event in Nigeria.
The week-long championship attracted 80 elite players from across the country competing for national ranking points, alongside 47 junior players spread across 10 developmental categories, transforming Makurdi into the epicentre of Nigerian tennis.
In the men’s singles final, Canice Abua, Nigeria’s second-ranked player, lived up to expectations as he defeated Mohammed Musa, ranked seventh nationally, to clinch the title.
Musa, however, returned to the court for the doubles final, where Daniel Adeleye and Abubakar Yusuf secured the men’s doubles crown, with Abua and Musa finishing as runners-up.
The women’s singles event was dominated by Nigeria’s top-ranked female player, Mohammed Khadijat, who defeated Nenrot Suwa to claim the title. Khadijat completed a double triumph by teaming up with Mooffa Mary to win the women’s doubles final against Nenrot Suwa and Goodwin Favour.
The junior categories also produced standout performances, highlighting the depth of emerging talents in Nigerian tennis. Young stars, including Adamu Onoja, Winifred Tersoo, Oche Onoja, Ivana Abu, Goodluck Tersoo, Ochanya Onoja, David Aper, and Mary Onoja, claimed titles across various age grades.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Orseer IkyaaPETRtor, founder and President of the Orseer Ikyaator Foundation, described the tournament as a major boost for tennis development in Benue State and Nigeria.
The tournament featured a N10m prize purse, alongside N5m in scholarships dedicated to junior and grassroots tennis programmes, underscoring the foundation’s commitment to sustainable sports development.
With its successful debut, the Ikyaator National Tennis Open has firmly placed Makurdi on Nigeria’s tennis map, setting a new benchmark for hosting high-profile sporting events outside the traditional centres.
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