By Ben Efe 10.3.2026
The Nigeria swimming family has been thrown into a state of shock as the Nigeria Aquatics Federation president Chamberlain Dunkwu slumped and died last weekend in Abuja.
Mr. Dunkwu,54, seen hale and hearty on Friday March 6 collapsed and died at his home in Abuja on March 7 hours before a scheduled dinner with the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Assembly Tajudeen Abbas, and other colleagues.
“It is a tragedy that has been fallen Nigerian swimming, we saw his coming as turnaround for the sport, but unfortunately he died,” groaned former national veteran coach Steve Onyeacholam
“It is devestating blow for us. He has been in swimming and knows what to do and who to consult for the sport to grow.
“The last four years swimming was stagnated…his coming was like a dream; we were all looking forward to new era of competitions and sponsorships this was like a “Strait of Hormuz” that was open to us, but we have been given a rude awakening from our dreams.”
According to a swimming official Mr. Dunkwu who is also a politician from Ika in Delta State, was supposed to be guest in the swimming competition he sponsored in Abuja last Saturday.
“We were all ready, everywhere was branded and shining; we were waiting for his arrival at the competition venue only for us to hear that he died.
“We the board members are in a state of shock, and it will take a long time for us to come to terms with his sudden death,” said the Nigeria Aquatics Federation member.
Before becoming president, Mr. Dunkwu was a member of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation board in 2011-2015 and has passionately followed the sport.