NIGERIA BREAKS NEW GROUND ON SNOW WITH IKPEFAN AT WINTER OLYMPICS
By: Gyang Dakwo
The 2026 Winter Olympics will open in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on February 6, and Nigeria will be part of the Games, once again pushing beyond familiar sporting boundaries.
Nigeria is steadily finding its place at the Winter Olympics, even though the country has no snow or icy tracks. Four years after PyeongChang 2018, where Nigeria competed in skeleton and bobsleigh, the country returned to the winter stage at Beijing 2022 with a skier.
That athlete is Samuel Ikpefan, who competes in cross-country skiing.
As seen at the World Cup and the World Championships last winter, Ikpefan will be the first skier to wear Nigeria’s green suit at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, and his presence continues to underline Nigeria’s growing footprint in winter sport.
“I am so proud to represent Nigeria”, he said.
Ikpefan was born in Annemasse in the French Alps, and his journey to representing Nigeria began in 2018 when he obtained a Nigerian passport. That step gave him the right to compete for the country of his father, and it also deepened his connection to a culture that had always been part of his life in France.
“Choosing to represent Nigeria also reopened doors in his sporting career. He came through the French system, but after the doors to the French team closed in 2011, he put skiing on hold. When he returned to the sport five years later, he realised his dual nationality allowed him to compete for Nigeria, and that marked the beginning of a new chapter.
Despite Nigeria’s climate, where snow and ice are absent, Ikpefan continues to find creative ways to remain active in winter sport. His journey highlights how Nigerian athletes are breaking new ground and proving that climate does not define possibility.
For Ikpefan, skiing goes beyond competition and it shapes his character and outlook on life.
“Cross-country skiing is physically and mentally demanding. It teaches determination, resilience, humility, and self-improvement. It connects you with nature and fosters unity among athletes from diverse backgrounds.”
His passion for the sport started early, supported by his natural endurance and access to trails in France.
“I started racing at 7 or 8 years old. The sport’s mental and physical demands resonated with me, and I’ve been pushing my limits ever since.”
Ikpefan sees the Winter Olympics as the highest stage in sport, and while he hopes to inspire young Nigerians, he also recognises the challenges.
“I want to help create opportunities, but I’ve faced obstacles. My long-term goal is to make skiing more accessible to Nigerian youth, both at home and abroad.”
His story also points to a wider opportunity for Nigeria. With a large youth population in the diaspora, many young Nigerians are growing up with access to facilities and training systems abroad. This creates a chance for the country to embrace sports that are not common at home and to expand its presence across new sporting frontiers.
Being Nigeria’s first Olympic skier remains a deep source of pride for Ikpefan.
“Representing Nigeria—a country rich in culture and diversity—is a responsibility I cherish. It’s a way to honour my ancestors and inspire future generations.”
Ikpefan is one of 438 athletes currently benefiting from Olympic Solidarity support on the road to the Milano Cortina Games. The programme provides funding to help athletes from different backgrounds reach the Olympic stage, with a focus on National Olympic Committees. Africa will have 15 athletes from eight countries competing at the Winter Olympics. The Games will begin with the opening ceremony in Milan on February 6, 2026, and will run through February 22
