In a historic appointment, Ganiyat Adeduntan has been named head coach of the George Washington Revolutionaries Women’s Basketball team, making her the first Nigerian to hold such a position in a US university.
The announcement was made on Monday in a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and shared via its official X page.
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NiDCOM described Adeduntan’s appointment as a landmark achievement for Nigeria and its diaspora community. Chairman/CEO of the commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended her for elevating Nigeria’s reputation in global sports.
“We are immensely proud of Coach Ganiyat Adeduntan for this groundbreaking accomplishment. Her leadership, resilience, and passion for basketball have set a new standard for Nigerian excellence on the global stage,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
Before her latest appointment, Adeduntan led Colgate University to consecutive 20-win seasons and a Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) appearance. Her return to George Washington University, where she previously served as an assistant coach, is seen as a strategic move that will benefit the program.
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“She embodies the spirit of hard work and determination, and her success is an inspiration to young Nigerian women aspiring to break barriers in sports and beyond,” Dabiri-Erewa added.
A native of Ibadan, Adeduntan holds a PhD in Nursing and is the daughter of Prince (Dr) Azeez Adeduntan, a Harvard-trained cardiovascular surgeon and former Oyo State Commissioner for Health.
NiDCOM reaffirmed its support for her journey, expressing confidence that she will achieve even greater milestones in her new role.
