Official Logo of NPWF
History
In 1976, after his retirement from active wrestling, Michael Okpala (also known as Power Mike) founded Power Mike International Promotions. The organisation was established to train young people aspiring to become professional wrestlers and to organise wrestling shows. Power Mike built wrestling platforms in Atani road Onitsha, Abuja and Lagos. Power Mike International Promotions was officially incorporated on 19 September 2007 with registration number 2039348, three years after his demise in 2004.
Also during the 1970s, a body called the Nigeria Wrestling Board of Control (NWB of C) was established by Federal Government to enforce technical standard and regulate sports of professional wrestling in Nigeria. NWB of C is now in comatose for over 40 years with His Royal Majesty, Nnamdi Everistus Ofoegbu chairman, Ralph Nwafor as the Secretary-General. His Royal Majesty, Ofoegbu is the current traditional ruler of Umudiawa, an autonomous community located in the Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria.
Proposed New Logo of NPWF
The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (N.W.F.) was formed and inaugurated on September 27, 1981, under the administration of then President Alhaji Shehu Shagari. It was established to organize amateur and professional wrestling in Nigeria, in 1996 N.W.F dissolved separating amateur from professional wrestling thereby birthing two wrestling bodies: Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation (NAWF) and Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF).
NPWF was later incorporated 5th June 1997 championed by Power Mike, Elephando Bassey, Ben Lion Heart, Iron Fine Face and Iron Saigon. Currently, the National President is Chief. John Onyebuchi Uche, former pioneer chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos state chapter and Hon. Fidelis Kene Chiekezie as Southeast Director. In NAWF, Hon. Daniel Igali held National President post until an election was conducted 2025 in Bayelsa state and Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, Nigeria customs comptroller general emerged as the National President.
Structure, Chapters and Clubs:
Professional Wrestling shows led by Power Mike after his retirement from active wrestling has been taking place at different locations in Nigeria especially in Onitsha before his demise on 11th March 2004, however, "Fancy Superstar Wrestling Club" and "Hardcore wrestling club was formed in Onitsha in 1998 and 2008 respectively, Uche Animoke also known as Uche Fancy led the first while late Patrick Emeka Ofolomah alias Afro-De-Giant led the latter, after the death of Afro-De-Giant, the two groups merged as SuperHardCore Wrestling Club of Nigeria now led by Chinedu Akata and domiciled finally at Chuba Ikpeazu stadium Awka road, Onitsha, and became the Anambra State chapter of NPWF.
Later on, Veteran Wrestlers Association of Nigeria (VWAN) have been established to look after welfare of former wrestlers.
Leadership:
Some individuals who have held leadership or prominent positions:
Sunday “Sunny Wonder” Oluwayemi: President of NWF (1981–2006)
Simon O. Umeh (Iron Saigon of Nigeria): President of NWF - (2008–2012)
Daniel Igali: President of Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation, assumed office after the year marked by official separation of Professional Wrestling. Igali was elected in 2013; re-elected in 2017
Chief John O. Uche: President (NPWF), appointed Since 19 June 2020.
Hon. Chiekezie Kene Fidelis: Director of Communications and Southeast Director, appointed 2025.
Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR: Customs Comptroller-General was elected NAWF National President 2025.
Amb. Olusesan Olukoya: Appointed National Publicity Secretary 1992.
Elephando Bassey: Pioneer National Secretary 1981.
Relationship with Amateur Wrestling:
Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF[3]) Nigeria Wrestling Federation covers both amateur and professional wrestling in Nigeria. However, both NAWF and NPWF still use the central appellation N.W.F which was inaugurated on 27 September 1981 during the administration of President Shehu Shagari. It was established to administer amateur and professional wrestling competitions at national and international levels.
Recent Developments
Hon. Kenechukwu Fidelis Chiekezie who also is a relation to Power Mike of Africa launched a campaign to resustate professional wrestling in Nigeria. In same line, the NPWF under Chief John Uche announced plans to hold its 44th anniversary in September in Awka[4], Anambra State, to revive professional wrestling in Nigeria.
Also there are calls from veteran wrestlers like Morris Atula after he established Veteran Wrestlers Association of Nigeria (VWAN) stressed for more technically trained leadership in wrestling governance.
Wrestling Promotions in Nigeria:
Several promotion outfits exist or have existed, affiliated with NPWF / N.W.F.:
Power Mike International Promotions (est. 1976) founded by Power Mike.
Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA) founded by Olusesan Olukoya in February 2015.
TBT Promotions (Throwback Enterprises) and African Elite Wrestling Council (AEWC) founded by Hon. Fidelis Kenechukwu Chiekezie in January 2018.
Wrestlemap founded by Bryan Anderson on 2020.
Challenges and Issues
According to interviews with current leadership, professional wrestling in Nigeria has experienced decline due to “poor management” and neglect by governmental bodies.
There appear to be issues of infrastructure, funding, and continuity that have limited the consistent growth of professional wrestling.
