Nigerian Olympian and Director of Coaching at the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports Development, Ekuta Catherine Ewa, has been appointed as a member of the caretaker committee of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF).
The appointment was approved by the National Sports Commission (NSC) as part of efforts to reposition the federation and prepare it for fresh elections following the dissolution of its board by the International Judo Federation (IJF).
Ekuta, who represented Nigeria at the Olympic Games, reached the highest level of international competition in judo before moving into sports administration. She currently serves as Director of Coaching in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports Development, where she is known for her dedication, hard work and commitment to her responsibilities.
Her appointment brings her experience as a former elite athlete and sports administrator to the committee, which is expected to oversee the federation’s affairs during the transition period.
Ekuta has an impressive record in international judo, having won one gold and two bronze medals in the women’s 57kg division at the All-Africa Games. She won bronze in 1999, gold at the 2003 edition hosted in Nigeria under the Council of International Sport in Africa (COJA), and another bronze in 2007.
Her gold medal victory at the 2003 All-Africa Games helped highlight her status as one of Nigeria’s accomplished judokas. She subsequently qualified to represent Nigeria at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Judo talent also runs in her family, as her daughter, Enku Ekuta, is following in her footsteps. Enku ended Nigeria’s 24-year wait for a judo medal at the Commonwealth Games by winning bronze in the women’s -63kg event at the Glasgow 2026 Games.
Her husband, Ewa Ekuta, is also a leading judo coach who has held prominent positions within the Nigeria Judo Federation, further highlighting the family’s contribution to the development of the sport in the country.
The six-member caretaker committee is chaired by Sheriff Hammed, with Ekuta, Sule Musa, Bashir Musa Bassey and Oladipupo Idowu serving as members. Amayo Ngozi will serve as secretary.
According to the NSC, the committee will oversee the day-to-day administration of the federation and introduce necessary reforms to strengthen its operations.
Its responsibilities include reviewing and amending the federation’s constitution to meet the requirements of the International Judo Federation, convening an Annual General Meeting to consider the proposed amendments and organising fresh elections.
The committee is also expected to ensure a smooth transition to a duly elected board after the electoral process.
The NSC has charged the committee to carry out its responsibilities with diligence, transparency and impartiality, while working with relevant stakeholders to promote the development of judo across Nigeria.
The appointment takes immediate effect and will remain in place until the electoral process is completed and a new board assumes office.
The development marks another step in Ekuta’s continued involvement in Nigerian sports, following her career as an Olympic judoka and her current role in sports development and administration in Akwa Ibom State.
