The 7th edition of Nigeria’s National Under-17 Cricket Championship is set to get underway, bringing together young cricketing talent from across the country. The tournament, widely regarded as the biggest age-grade cricket competition in Nigeria and North West Africa, serves as a critical platform for identifying and nurturing future national team stars.
This year, all 36 states will participate in zonal qualifiers, with the top performers from each state advancing to represent their zones in both boys and girls categories. The competition has a proven track record of producing elite talent, with about 70 percent of current senior national team players emerging from previous editions. Additionally, every member of Nigeria’s national under-19 cricket teams has progressed through this championship.
The 2026 qualifiers will run from February 18 to March 1, with matches scheduled across six zones. Abuja, Kaduna, Adamawa, Edo, Imo, and Ogun States have been selected as host venues. Cricket enthusiasts and scouts alike will be closely watching the tournament as it continues to serve as a breeding ground for the country’s next generation of cricket stars.
With nationwide participation and a strong history of talent development, the National U-17 Cricket Championship remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s cricketing ecosystem.
