The Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF), is a Nigerian organization created in 1981 for the purpose of administrating and the promotion of professional wrestling in Nigeria. It is a subdivision of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) which is part of the global United World Wrestling (UWW).
History In 1976, Michael Okpala, known as Power Mike, established Power Mike International Promotions following his retirement from active wrestling and world tours. The organization was created to train aspiring professional wrestlers and organize wrestling events. Wrestling facilities associated with the organization were located in Onitsha, Abuja, and Lagos.
During the 1970s, the Nigeria Wrestling Board of Control (NWB of C) was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to organize and regulate professional wrestling and was chaired by Nnamdi Evaristus Ofoegbu, while Ralph Nwafor served as Secretary-General.
The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) was inaugurated on 27 September 1981 by Senate President Joseph Wayas during the administration of President Shehu Shagari. The federation was established to administer amateur and professional wrestling activities in Nigeria. In 1990, the federation separated its amateur and professional divisions, resulting in the formation of the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation (NAWF) and the Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF).
The NPWF was incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission on 5 June 1997. Individuals identified with its establishment include Power Mike, Big Jim Obot, Iron Fineface, Captain Killer, Elephando Bassey, Sunny Wonder, Iron Saigun and L.T. Hammer.
As of 2026, John Onyebuchi Uche serves as National President of the NPWF. Fidelis Kene Chiekezie Southeast Director, Elephando Bassey National Secretary and Olusesan Olukoya National Publicity Secretary.
Decline The national president, John Uche have attributed a decline in professional wrestling activity in Nigeria to management-related issues and insufficient institutional support. The organization have also identified infrastructure, funding, and organizational continuity as factors affecting the development of professional wrestling in Nigeria.
Past presidents Sunday Oluwayemi (Sunny Wonder) – National President, NWF-NPWF (1981–2006) Simon O. Umeh (Iron Saigon) – National President, NPWF (2008–2012) Hameed Olanrewaju Mohammed - (2013- 2020) John Onyebuchi Uche – (2020 - Present)
Relationship with amateur wrestling The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) was established to administer both amateur and professional wrestling in Nigeria. Following the separation of the two divisions in 1990, the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation (NAWF) and the Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF) became separate organizations. Both organizations trace their origins to the federation inaugurated on 27 September 1981.
Wrestling promotions in Nigeria Licensed organizations that have been associated with professional wrestling promotion and activities in Nigeria. Their legal status, period of operation, and relationship with governing bodies have varied over time.
Promotion Founder / promoter Established Status Notes Power Mike International Promotions Power Mike 1976 Defunct Founded by Power Mike. Toroman International Lt. Felix A. Ayinotu 1977 Defunct Co-promoter with Power Mike under Power Mike International Promotions prior to their separation in the 1980s. Operated from 1977 to 1982. Tony Abass Promotions Tony Lukman Abass 1980s Defunct Operated from the 1980s to the early 2000s National Wrestling Alliance of Nigeria Power Mike, Iron Saigon, MC Udoagwa, and others 1991 Defunct Fancy SuperStar Wrestling Uche Animoke (Uche Fancy) 1998–2017 Defunct Operated until Uche Animoke left Nigeria and relocated to Dubai. HardCore Wrestling Club Patrick Ofolomah (Afro-De-Giant) 2008–2014 Defunct Ceased operations following the death of Patrick Ofolomah (Afro-De-Giant) in 2014. Kicx Wrestling Entertainment Mr Kicx 2010–2018 Defunct Operated until 2018. Ultimate Pro Wrestling PowerLee 2014 Defunct The promotion ceased operations following difficulties sustaining the promotion in Nigeria. Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA) Olusesan Olukoya 4 February 2015 Active Founded by Olusesan Olukoya. SuperHardCore Wrestling Club Chinedu Akata 2016 Active Formed through a coalition involving the Hardcore Wrestling Club and Fancy SuperStar Wrestling. African Professional Wrestling Commission (APWC) Kwabena Nana, Fidelis Kene Chiekezie, and others 2019 Active Founded by Kwabena Nana, Fidelis Kene Chiekezie, and others. ATTACK! Pro Wrestling Nigeria Alliance with ATTACK! Pro Wrestling 2019 Active Founded under the APWC. Wrestlemap Nigeria Bryan Anderson 2020–2024 Active Gold Wrestling Association John O. Uche 2022 Active Anthony Bolaji Oni (Wrestling Promotions) Anthony Bolaji Oni 1974 - 1990s Defunct Founded by Anthony Bolaji Oni who was considered father of Amateur Wrestling in Nigeria Dadison-Hawk International Promotions Dadison-Hawk 1980s–late 1990s Defunct Founder Dadison-Hawk Nigerian Wrestling Board of Control Nigerian Govt to regulate Wrestling 1975 - mid 2000s (comatose) (former governing body) Nigeria Wrestling Federation (N.W.F.) National Body 1981 - Present Active Governing Body of Wrestling in Nigeria (amateur and professional) John Nebeolisa Promotions John Nebolisa 1980s to 1990s (defunct) Founded by John Nebolisa Tummy International Promotions Tummy 1970s to 90s Defunct Ceased operations in 1990s Jeis Technical Promotions Okosisi 1997 to early 2000 Defunct
List of some professional wrestlers under the NPWF Afro De Giant Ben Lion Heart Elephando Bassey Iron Saigun Lady Jossy Marris Atula MC Original Power Mike Mike Bamidele Mysterio 619 Orji De Killer Philip Tiger Power Lee Power Vic Sunny Wonder Tony Destroyer Ultimate Commander Unbeatable Akidi Unbreakable Wil Mascaras Wonderful Kamala Young Angel Young Batista Super Sokari Soberekon (a.k.a super de black power) Captain Sale Mamman (rtd)(a.k.a Maman Zaria) Ladi African Tiger Giant E
List of Nigerian professional wrestling champions
Super Heavyweight Super Armstrong Big Daddy Mr. Kicx <2009 Simon O. Umeh declares all titles vacant in 09. Afro Giant of Africa <2009 Vacant on 14-06-08 when Afro passes away.
Heavyweight Title Big Daddy Former NPWF Heavyweight Champion MC Original (Martin Chukwulobe Udoagwa) - Former NPWF Heavyweight Champion De Great Olympia (Christopher Columbus Madogwe) - Former NPWF Heavyweight Champion De Mighty Man (Happy Egu Okolo) - AIWF Africa Heavyweight Champion; Former NPWF Heavyweight Champion Michel Noudem (Le Matriqueur) - PWA Heavyweight Champion L'Animal (Alain Taso) - Former PWA AIWF World Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Michael Beadle - AIWF World Heavyweight Champion Ladi the African Tiger (Oba James Oladipo Buremoh) - Former World Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Tony Destroyer (Anthony Nwabueze) - Former African Wrestling Council (AWC) Super Heavyweight Champion Humphrey Buffalo - PWA African Super Heavyweight Champion Cedric Talla - Former African Professional Wrestling Champion
Junior Heavyweight Title Power Uti <1985 - 1992 Sonny Wonder <1992
Light Heavyweight Title Proving Mohammed <2008 Holds title until 08; Simon O. Umeh declares all titles vacant in 09. Kirikou - AIWF Africa Light Heavyweight Champion Sunny Wonder (Sunday Oluwayemi) - Former NPWF African Light Heavyweight Champion Mr. Sharpman (Augustine Okafor) - PWA Light Heavyweight Champion Angus Emeadi (Executioner) - Former African Wrestling Organization (AWO) Light Heavyweight Champion
Middleweight Title Iron Saigun (Simon O. Umeh) <1985 [...] Wil Mascaras (Williams Ehidiamen) <1992 [...] Monkeyman Ariba Swan <2008 Holds title until 08; Simon O. Umeh declares all titles vacant in 09. Iron Fineface (Festus Obidiaze) - Former NPWF African Middleweight Champion
Welterweight Title Abbey City <1985
Women's Title Stuborn Headache <1995 Ring Marshall <1996-01 Tina Terror <2008 Holds title until 08; Simon O. Umeh declares all titles vacant in 09.
Other Champions Alain Noudem - Former PWA World Professional Wrestling Champion
References