The Nigeria Scrabble Federation has cut the eligibility threshold for the 2026 African Scrabble Championship and removed safety nets for even its top-ranked players ahead of qualifiers scheduled for September 10 and 11 at Stephen Keshi Stadium.
In a statement issued Thursday, NSF spokesperson Maxwell Kumoye said the federation reviewed games played between January and August 2026 and reduced the minimum requirement from 50 to 30 NSF-rated games. The new 30-game benchmark will determine who gets invited to the qualifiers.
A total of 43 players made the selection pool. It includes eight automatic qualifiers, three home-based wildcard recipients approved by the federation, and 30 players under provisional Last Chance Qualifier consideration.
But automatic status will not be enough. For the first time, every player on the list must play, including those who qualified through NSF rankings, female rankings, championship titles, PANASA wildcards, and NSF wildcards.
The federation has set a performance bar of 65 percent. That means automatic qualifiers must win at least 16 of the 24 games across the two days to keep their places on Team Nigeria.
“An automatically qualified player who fails to meet the required benchmark may have his or her slot reviewed or revoked,” Kumoye said. The NSF Technical Committee also reserves the right to hand the slot to the next eligible player.
The eight players currently holding automatic slots are Abdulmumin Jimoh, Ezinore George, Doko Oluwatimilehin, Bukumi Afolayan, Emmanuel Umujose, John Aiyedun, Larry Etuwa and Segun Durojaye.
Home-based wildcards went to Cyril Umebiye, Sophia Ekeruche and Prestige Archibong.
The LCQ provisional list features 30 players including Hakeem Olaribigbe, Tega Okiemute, Precious Igali, David Ojih, Godwin Victor, Nwaeze Chuks, Dipo Akanbi, Ewruje James, Edéwor Bobor, Dokun Esan, Samuel Adebola, Olumide Oyejide, Wasiu Hassan, Moses Peter, Olatunde Adigun, Felix Igolukumo, Daystar Atti, Temitooyo Mayuku, Roseline Emelike, Adebisi Adekansi, Mbonu Olachi, Clinton Imode, Micheal Ogbonna, Hassan Olamide, Abdulqudus Olawale, Rex Ogbakpa, Imah Ufuoma, Ben Quickpen, Ogadangbe David and Passfine Chinkere.
Play begins at 9:00 a.m. each day, with all 43 players expected to contest 24 games. Six more players will be added to complete Nigeria’s contingent for ASC 2026 at the end of the qualifiers.
NSF said players must confirm availability with the Technical Director on or before Sunday, September 6. Those needing official invitation letters were also advised to contact the Technical Director.
The move signals NSF’s push for form over reputation as Nigeria begins its final selection process for the continental championship.
